David Cox is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson.
“The conditions are very, very dangerous,” he said. “Any type of prolonged exposure to those conditions could lead to hypothermia.”
He says more impactful winter weather, such as snow, sleet and freezing rain, are expected later this week.
“Definitely check on neighbors, friends, family and even pets outside,” Cox said. “Take those precautions in terms of winter weather.”
Richard Hancock is the program manager at Gateway Rescue Mission in Jackson, an organization providing temporary shelter, meals and other services to the male unhoused community. Hancock says the cold weather has created the challenge of being able to provide enough shelter for those trying to stay out of the cold. Gateway currently has a capacity of 20 to 25 beds for emergency shelter.
“We make do with what we have,” he said. “We set up mats in our chapel for emergency cold weather shelter, kind of like an overflow. We open up all day long as a day shelter to help them get out of the cold, get a cup of coffee and make sure they don't freeze.”
Hancock says many of the men he works with live in homeless encampments.
“We've been having an encampment outreach here lately to where we go out to the different homeless camps,” he said. “What we're seeing is these tents. They're so thin and this weather is so sharp. We try to provide them with hand warmers and different things that try to keep them warm. We have ordinances right now to where they can't build a lot of encampments, which is understandable, but that's just one of the challenges that they face.”
Paul Reed is an Army veteran originally from Chicago.
“I am definitely homeless,” he said. “I find that Gateway, the Opportunity Center, Brumfield is in such close proximity for the homeless that it's almost difficult to be cold at night. The breakfast, lunch and dinner that Gateway serves and the warming shelter I find to be a great convenience. I find that if folks don't want to hang out at Gateway, they could go up the street some and check out The Bridge.”
Donald Ray Hampton, originally from Monroe, Louisiana, has been living in between shelters and the streets of Jackson.
“I'll stay in the shelter, but sometimes I stay out,” he said. “I got a sleeping bag. You got to put on some warm clothes and some warm blankets, and you can stay out.”
Hampton says he’s ready for the cold temperatures.
“Man I've been outside with eight degrees sleeping outside,” he said. “I mean, 20 is not bad.”
Cold Weather Tips
The Mississippi Insurance Department suggests following certain recommendations to prepare for severe cold weather.
- Leave your faucet running with a slight drip and open the cabinet doors under your sinks.
- Look at the trees around your property and cut back branches or stems that are dead, dying, diseased, or broken.
- Clearing the debris from your gutters will help prevent ice dams by allowing meltwater to drain freely.
- Evaluate the insulation and ventilation (roof or soffit vents) in your attic, keeping the warm air in your home and out of your attic.
- Perform maintenance checks on your vehicle. Check the battery, antifreeze and wiper fluid levels. Fill up with gas, pack emergency supplies and keep a windshield scraper on-hand to remove ice.
As you heat your home, keep fire safety in mind.
- Keep clothes, drapes, and anything else combustible at least 3 feet away from all heating equipment, especially space heaters.
- Never leave space heaters on when you are away from home.
- Never plug space heaters into extension cords. Plug electric space heaters directly into an outlet.
- All heating equipment should be UL® approved.
- Inspect the space heater’s power cord for damage, fraying or heat. If the cord inspection reveals any of these issues, the heater should be replaced.
- Never use space heaters while you sleep or in areas where children may be without adult supervision.
- Always unplug space heaters when they are not in use. The heater should also be equipped with a tip over shut-off switch.
- Never use a stove or oven to heat living spaces.
- If using a gas heater, install a carbon monoxide detector.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button. Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
- Smoke alarms should be placed in every sleeping area and common hallways and on every level of the home.
- Make sure everyone in your home knows how to get out and where to meet outside.
- Once everyone is outside a burning home, call 911 and don’t go back inside the home under any circumstances.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency also recommends checking in on vulnerable relatives and neighbors and either bringing pets indoors or providing extra shelter.
Warming centers and day shelters are also open to the public across the state.
Hancock County:
Emergency Operations Center Building at 18333 HWY 603 Kiln
Gulfport/D’Iberville:
Two Cold Weather Shelters will be opening in Harrison County:
The Salvation Army Center of Hope in Gulfport2019 22nd Street, Gulfport
Kenny Fournier Multipuprose Building10395 Automall Parkway, D’Iberville
Jackson:
The City of Jackson, in partnership with Shower Power, will manage a temporary shelter at Shepard's Gym at 1355 Hattiesburg St. (near Jim Hill High School). Food and cots will be available.
The Salvation Army of Jackson is opening its Center of Hope to serve as a Cold Night Shelter for men and women in need of warmth and safety.
Located at 110 Presto Lane, Jackson, MS, the shelter will operate nightly during inclement weather. The Emergency Check-In time is from 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM. The shelter is not equipped to serve children.
Alcorn County
Blue Building At Kossuth – 7 CR 604, Corinth MS
Jasper County
Jasper County Community Center – 124 Edmund King Rd, Bay Springs, MS 39422
Adams County
Adams County Safe Room, 323 Liberty Road, Natchez (Operating on an as needed basis.)
