Clarksdale got from four- to five-inches of snow with most of it coming around 4 a.m. Friday.
The white-stuff followed a Winter Storm Watch from the National Weather Service (NWS) out of Memphis that predicted Coahoma County would get four- to six-inches of snow early Friday morning.
This was a light and fluffy snow that was pretty but did not accumulate as ice on powerlines and trees and made streets and roads manageable to traffic.
The City of Clarksdale has snow plows, or graders, front-end loaders and bobcats out scraping streets as the snow fell and most main streets in town were clear by 10 a.m.
“We’ve been out since about 4 a.m. clearing streets and watching the weather,” said Craig Amerson, of Clarksdale Public Works. “We had most major streets clear by mid-morning, and are working on side streets now.
“We are watching the weather and trying to get ready for a re-freeze tonight,” said Amerson. “Streets are better but they are dangerous in spots. People need to slow down, exercise caution and don’t get out if they don’t have to.”
Amerson said city crews would be working streets through the weekend.
Government vehicles are not allowed on private property and parking lots and alleys are deemed private property.
The weather was overcast, with a slight mist falling at noon with temperatures around 34 degrees.
The NWS said skies would turn to mostly cloudy late Friday and then partly sunny on Saturday with a high of 35 and sunny on Sunday with a high of 42.
The temperature would fall back below freezing each night.
Monday should see a high of 37 with light wind out of the northwest and mostly clear skies.
The NWS had predicted a line from Clarksdale to Tupelo should see accumulations for all areas north and Clarksdale saw mostly sleet and slush. This weather was prompted by moisture out of Texas and the Gulf hitting a cold front racing out of Canada and the Great Plains and being pushed East.
Clarksdale dodges a similar weather pattern that dumped snow across the Midwest and Virginia this past weekend snarling traffic and delaying flights out of metropolitan airports in the Northeast.
And Clarksdale and Coahoma County were ready.
Coahoma County Emergency Management Director Charles Hale said he expected the snow to slow traffic and he urged people to prepare.
“A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for the entire Mid-South, effective from 6 p.m. Thursday through late Friday night,” said Hale in a prepared statement.
“Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and others, and plan for additional travel time,” he added. “Avoid abrupt braking or acceleration and use extra care on hills or while navigating turns.
Hale urged people to make sure their vehicle and home are properly winterized and in good working condition.
“The Coahoma County and City of Clarksdale Warming Center is now open to the public,” Hale added. “The center is located at the Clarksdale Civic Auditorium, 506 E 2nd St, Clarksdale, MS 38614, and will remain open 24 hours a day while temperatures stay below freezing.”
But there is a process for the warming center: Occupants must register, follow warming center rules and not bring certain items. The first stop is the Central Fire Station on Desoto Avenue, next to the Auditorium, where people must register.
Temperatures are not predicted to get much above freezing with cloudy skies over the weekend and the Sun coming back out Sunday afternoon and temperatures hitting 44-degrees for the first time in almost a week.
Homeowners and renters are also urged to watch for freezing pipes thawing this weekend.
In the event of power failure, or burst water pipes, call Clarksdale Public Utilities at 662-627-8499 immediately.
The Coahoma County Emergency Management Agency will continue to monitor the Severe Weather Probabilities and provide updates as needed.
Residents are also urged to exercise extreme caution with heating units, stoves and open flames during this cold spell. Residents should call 911 immediately if they have an emergency.
“We urge residents to remain vigilant, monitor local weather updates, and take necessary precautions to stay safe,” said Hale. “As always, our priority is the safety and well-being of our community, and we will continue to provide timely updates as the situation evolves.”
Updates, including the latest maps, resources and information can be found at coahomacounty.net/ema
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