JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Officials with the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) are urging emergency travel only for drivers in areas heavily impacted by Tuesday’s winter storm.
Ice is still being reported on roads, bridges and overpasses in 21 counties:
- Adams
- Amite
- Covington
- Forrest
- Franklin
- George
- Greene
- Hancock
- Harrison
- Jackson
- Jefferson Davis
- Lamar
- Lawrence
- Lincoln
- Marion
- Pearl River
- Perry
- Pike
- Stone
- Walthall
- Wilkinson
Crews will be working in full force to treat affected roadways in southeastern counties on Wednesday, January 22. MDOT officials said the crews will be plowing and applying sand and slag to bridges and trouble spots to provide traction and melt the ice. Plowing operations will be most prevalent in the coastal counties where there was more accumulation. The rising temperatures and widespread sunshine should aid in melting snow.
In southwest Mississippi, crews are also plowing and applying de-icing treatment to roadways. Additional snowplows and crew members are being deployed from the northern portion of the state. They are concentrating on removing snow and ice from interstates and state-maintained highways and bridges.
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Snow plow on the Mississippi Coast on Jan. 22, 2025. (Courtesy: MDOT) -
Snow on I-59 bridge to Highway 98 in Hattiesburg (Courtesy: MDOT) -
Snow on I-59 at Evelyn Gandy Interchange in Hattiesburg (Courtesy: MDOT) -
Snow at Highway 42 exit to I-59 in Hattiesburg (Courtesy: MDOT) -
Snow in Hattiesburg on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Courtesy: MDOT) -
Snow in Hattiesburg on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (Courtesy: MDOT) -
Snow plow on Highway 90 on Mississippi Coast (Courtesy: MDOT) -
Highway 61 flyover closed in Natchez (Courtesy: MDOT)
While plowing and treatment operations progress, MDOT warns that Wednesday night’s low temperatures will likely refreeze treated roads and bridges in some areas.
The State Route 609 bridge in Jackson County, the I-110 bridge and U.S. 90 Biloxi Bay Bridge in Harrison County remain closed due to icy conditions.
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.