Mid-South readies for winter weather this weekend
Photo: The view of May Blvd. at Silo Square is after a winter storm went through DeSoto County in January 2022. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
The Mid-South is getting ready for some cold weather and forecasters are saying it should be the coldest temperatures of the winter season thus far.
Current forecasts as of Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 10 have high temperatures plummeting from Thursday’s expected high of 59 in DeSoto County down to the low to mid 20s by Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday. There’s also a chance of snow forecast for Sunday night through Monday night.
Officials have been putting out some reminders for residents ahead of the cold weather.
For instance, faucets should be left dripping hot and cold water when temperatures are below freezing.
Open sink cabinet doors to allow heat from your home to get in these areas. It is also recommended to cover outside faucets.
Another item mentioned is that residents should place a stake or marker by their water meter, so in case water needs to be cut off it can quickly be found, should snow fall and cover the yard and meter box.
Here are some tips about getting your home ready for cold weather, as recommended by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency:
- Clean out your gutters. Remove leaves and other debris to allow rainwater to flow freely, which helps prevent icicles and ice dams in freezing temperatures. Ice dams can cause roof leaks.
- Apply weather stripping around your doors and windows if you detect drafts around them. Use caulk or expandable spray foam if you have large openings around other areas, such as where pipes and vents enter and exit exterior walls. Place draft guards on the bottom of doors to keep heat from escaping under the door.
- Apply window insulation film. This should keep heat from escaping through the windows.
- Insulate water pipes in areas of the house that are uninsulated, such as attics, crawlspaces and basements.
- Remove water hoses from outdoor faucets. Drain the hose and store it in a covered location. Place an insulated faucet cover over outdoor water faucets to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
- You may also consider having your power company conduct an energy audit of your home to learn how your home uses energy and where you can make changes to be more efficient.
Some recommendations about getting vehicles ready for winter weather can be found here from Bridgestone Tire.
The Mississippi Department says now is a good time to gather a winter car kit of supplies and have it inside your vehicle, if needed.
