JACKSON, MISS. – The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) continues operations to keep roads open and traffic moving in the wake of Winter Storm Fern. Due to the current road conditions, MDOT strongly advises emergency travel only. Ice is still being reported on roads, bridges and overpasses in 28 counties. Counties currently experiencing ice include Alcorn, Benton, Bolivar, Calhoun, Coahoma, DeSoto, Grenada, Humphreys, Issaquena, Lafayette, Lee, Leflore, Marshall, Panola, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Tunica, Union, Washington, Yalobusha and Yazoo.
Crews in central and south Mississippi are mobilizing north to assist with plowing and salting roadways. Operations are also underway to clear fallen trees from roadways. In many areas, densely packed ice is hampering plowing operations. Sub-freezing temperatures have also hardened the ice to the roadways, eliminating the ability to plow in the northern counties until warmer temperatures arrive.
MDOT pretreated the roadways with 200,000 gallons of salt brine before the storm. Since the winter storm hit, the department has used 20,000 man hours to treat 15,000 lane miles and 3,000 bridges with 1,000 pounds of salt. The agency has dispatched most of its fleet of 135 snowplows and 64 motor graders into heavily impacted areas.
"We ask the traveling public to remain patient while we recover from this devastating storm," said MDOT Executive Director Brad White. "Please give our crews space to clear roadways safely."
MDOT recommends emergency travel only in impacted counties. For emergency travel, the agency offers these safe driving tips:
·Remember, ice will form on bridges and overpasses quicker than the road
·Remain cautious in areas with overhanging trees and other shady areas where moisture can accumulate and refreeze.
·Slow down.
·Watch out for black ice, which can be difficult to see, especially at night.
·Allow more space between the vehicles around you.
·Brake early and gently to avoid skidding, and never slam on the brakes.
·Avoid distractions, such as talking or texting on a cell phone.
·Stay alert.
For more information on how to prepare for winter weather, visit GoMDOT.com/winter. For real-time road conditions on Mississippi’s highways and bridges, download the MDOT Traffic mobile app, visit MDOTtraffic.com and follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and X.
