Since the Arctic air mass which gathered across Canada this past week has pushed temperatures into the low 30s, locals have had to bundle up when going outside as the wave of cold weather is expected to continue.

Mike Edmonsun, senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson, said Vicksburg could possibly see some wintry mix on Thursday.

“It looks like Vicksburg’s lows are going to be around 23 degrees on Thursday morning and at that time we’re supposed to have a low-pressure system coming up from the gulf and moisture will be increasing,” Edmonsun said. “So, there will be a chance by Thursday morning of some wintry mix precipitation starting in southwest Mississippi. So for the Vicksburg area we are not really expecting much until early afternoon, which could include a mixture of snow, sleet and possibly freezing rain.”

But Edmonsun said those conditions could change.

“We are still two days out, so we are continuing to refine (the forecast).”

And with these low temperatures, Warren County Emergency Management Agency Executive Director John Elfer said folks should remember the four Ps of safety: people, pets, pipes and plants.

“People come first,” Elfer said. “Life safety is what we are always worried about, therefore you need to have an adequate heat source that doesn’t create a fire issue or create a carbon monoxide issue.” 

Elfer said not creating an issue includes not resorting to alternative methods of heating homes, such as bringing a barbecue grill indoors.

“This has happened before,” Elfer said of an instance when people brought a grill inside their camper. In that case, the carbon monoxide fumes proved fatal.

Other things to avoid include using an oven or stove top as a heating source.

“And if you are using a generator or space heater, don’t plug it into an extension cord,” Elfer said. 

“It’s also best to refer to a manufacturer’s recommendations,” Elfer said of generator use, because gasoline or diesel-powered generators can create carbon monoxide gas if they are placed too close to the home.

Another way for people to stay safe during inclement weather, Elfer said, is to be a good neighbor.

“People need to check on folks, especially older people that are living in an older house that is not well insulated,” he said.

As for pets, Elfer said, they also need to have adequate shelter, which includes keeping the wind off them.

“And if it’s cold-cold, their water is going to freeze so make sure they have clean drinking water that is not frozen,” he said.

As for pipes, Elfer said to make sure all exterior pipes are covered. For people who don’t have commercial covers, rags and towels can be used for protection.

“The other thing they can do is drip their pipes and open their cabinets. And when they drip their pipes, they want to have a stream about the size of a spaghetti noodle.”

If pipes freeze, Elfer said, homeowners will not know it until they thaw.

“So, what happens is that the pipes freeze, and the water expands and that is what bursts the pipes,” he said.

For cold sensitive plants, Elfer recommends bringing them inside or covering them. And as a side note, he said, those who do bring plants inside should be careful of reptiles hiding in pots.

For those wanting to stay up to date on weather conditions, Edmonsun said, one can go to https://www.weather.gov/ and then click on central Mississippi.

Vicksburg Fire Chief Derrick Stamps echoed Elfer’s sentiments, saying cold snaps are some of the fire department’s busiest times of the year.

“As the winter months approach, the cozy atmosphere of our homes invites us to relax and unwind; however, it’s essential to recognize that this season also brings an alarming increase in home fires,” Stamps said. “Statistics reveal that home fires significantly spike during December, January, and February, with half of all heating-related fires occurring in these chilly months. The comfort of warmth must be balanced with a vigilant approach to fire safety.”

Stamps said most winter fires begin as a result of unsafe heating practices.

“Heating equipment is a primary contributor to these fires, responsible for one out of every six home fires and one out of every five associated fatalities,” he said. “To ensure your safety and that of your loved ones, take proactive measures to safeguard your home against the dangers posed by winter heating.”

Officials with the City of Vicksburg said no shelters are currently available in Warren County strictly for the purposes of cold weather; however, several existing shelters may be a resource for anyone needing to escape the elements, depending on available room and other existing factors.

A list of cold weather shelters in central Mississippi can be found at https://www.centralmscoc.org/announcements/frigid-weather-shelter

Other tips from Elfer and Stamps regarding safety during cold weather include: