By Brandon O’Connor and John Surratt

The Vicksburg Post

Record low temperatures and snowfall Tuesday morning led to hazardous road conditions that shutdown the city and county for two days and created problems on roadways throughout Vicksburg and Warren County.

The National Weather Service in Jackson reported that temperatures in Vicksburg reached a record low for Jan. 16 of 13 degrees, three degrees below the previous record and a 22-degree departure from the normal temperature for that day.

Two NWS measurements near Warren County reported between and 1.5 inches and .5 inches of snow Tuesday.

Warren County sheriff Martin Pace said that city and county units combined to respond to 75 wrecks Tuesday, but conditions had mostly improved by Wednesday.

“All county roads are open and passible with caution,” Pace said. “I just urge people to continue to drive carefully and the lesser traveled roads still have ice accumulations on them especially in shady areas.”

Temperatures were expected to remain below freezing until Thursday and dip back into the teens Wednesday night. Warren County Emergency Management director John Elfer said the continued low temperatures could cause the roads to refreeze Wednesday night.

“A lot of this stuff has melted,” Elfer said. “I think some of it is going to refreeze tonight. Hopefully by tomorrow afternoon we will be good. It was terrible. We had so many roads that were iced over. Obviously today is a little bit better. We really didn’t get above freezing today. (Highway) 61 North and some of the side streets still have issues.”

North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield said all city streets with the exception of First East Street to Farmer Street were open Wednesday afternoon.

City street supervisor Carl Harris said First East to Farmer still had ice on it, adding, “The sun hasn’t really gotten to it (to help melt the ice).” He said the city used 500-600 tons of sand and 100 tons of rock salt that was covered by sand.

Mayfield said there were no reports of broken city water lines or requests from property owners to have city crews turn off water service at homes because of broken pipes.

“We dodged a bullet,” he said.

The possible issues with the roads Thursday led area schools to either shutdown for the third straight day or delay starts to give roads the chance to thaw.

Vicksburg Warren School District superintendent Chad Shealy said that schools will remain closed Thursday due to road conditions. Schools were also closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

“District leaders continue to be in regular contact with Warren County Emergency Management about weather and road conditions,” Shealy said. “Because the temperature is not expected to rise until late tomorrow afternoon, roads will remain icy and dangerous. The safety of all students and staff is extremely important to us. Therefore, all Vicksburg Warren School District schools and offices will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 18.”

Shealy said the VWSD Board of Trustees has a policy in place that enables the board to call a vote and excuse the students from having to makeup the days. He added that if Gov. Phil Bryant declares a state of emergency due to the storm, the days would automatically be forgiven and not require a vote by the board.

The Vicksburg Catholic Schools will open Thursday, but will delay the start of school until 10 a.m. St. Aloysius principal Buddy Strickland said the school will release at the normal time and after school care will be open until 5 p.m.

Porter’s Chapel Academy principal Pam Wilbanks said the school will be open Thursday with a delayed start of 10 a.m.

City and county offices also reopened Thursday after being closed for two days. The meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen that was postponed Tuesday will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Rotary Gala that was scheduled for Tuesday will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. at Vicksburg Convention Center. Bryant was originally expected to attend, but he had a preplanned trip to Washington D.C. scheduled for Thursday. Secretary of State and Vicksburg native Delbert Hosemann will serve as the guest speaker at the event.

The temperatures are expected to rise steadily throughout the rest of the week allowing roads to thaw completely.

“We are going to be dry for the rest of the week and we will be warming up some,” NWS meteorologist Ed Tarver said. “Tonight we are going to be back in the lower teens again. Tomorrow we will be around 40 for highs. And by Friday we will be up by 50.”

Rain is expected to return Sunday, but temperatures will be in the 60s.

“It is not going to be anything frozen,” Tarver said. “It looks like we are going to be dry through the end of the week and maybe by Sunday morning could see some rain develop. Chances will be increasing through the day Sunday. It will be moving out Monday. It is going to be all rain. Maybe a rumble of thunder, but we aren’t expecting any severe weather at this time.”

The extended forecast shows temperatures dropping back into the 30s Monday and Tuesday.