Mid-South prepares for incoming icy weather
Averiel Hossley clears off her car in Overton Park as an early snow falls on Memphis in November 2018. More winter weather is headed to the Mid-South. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian file)
The city of Memphis, surrounding cities and counties will have a winter weather system hitting the area late Wednesday that will have an impact on the area later this week.
According to Weather.com, there is an ice storm warning. Temperatures will drop to 33 degrees, bringing rain Wednesday evening and later 31 degrees overnight. Precipitation will likely freeze, and the Memphis Police Department wants drivers to be prepared.
“You want to utilize those main roadways, and streets as much as possible,” said Memphis Police Col. Keith D. Watson, who is with the Traffic and Special Operations unit in the department. He added the city will be in normal operation until rain hits the area. Then, calls will likely increase because of the weather, he said.
“Know your driving limitations and the conditions on the roadway and on the streets,” Watson said. “Give other vehicles and drivers room when braking and stopping; that they’d be able to cope toward whatever maneuvers you’re trying to conduct. ...”
The city will have warming centers for those who need to get out of the cold. The Hollywood Community Center, located at 1560 N. Hollywood, will open doors at 7 p.m. and remain open until further notice, according to a press release. Overnight shelter and food assistance will be provided by the Memphis Union Mission, at 383 Poplar Ave.
Shelby County is prepping as well. It is activating the Emergency Operations Center, according to Charles E. Newell, the Shelby County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency Deputy Administrator.
“The activation will be done to coordinate information between agencies in order to inform the citizens of Shelby County. We are in constant communication with the National Weather Service for updates on the impending weather conditions,” Newell said in a statement.
County crews will begin their shifts at 3 a.m. They will work on roads and bridges in unincorporated Shelby County that have problems. The Tennessee Department of Transportation will address the interstate and highways.
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inclement weather MemphisAllyson Brown
After living in Missouri, Illinois, Mississippi, Louisiana, California and Ohio, Allyson is happy to be home in Memphis. If you take a look by the Houston High School track, you can still catch her name on the leader board. She likes good food, music and sports. If you have a suggestion about one or the other, send it her way. Also, she’s happy to hear your story ideas.
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