The declaration will help the state receive federal assistance with the storm.

Memphis continued to wait for the winter storm’s full effects Saturday afternoon as leaders remained apprehensive about the arrival of freezing rain that is expected to last through the night.

Memphis International Airport is set to be open Sunday, Jan. 25, but passengers are strongly urged to contact airlines to make sure flights haven’t been canceled or delayed.

The snow coating hides as much as an inch of icy sleet, so travel outside — walking or driving — is discouraged, the National Weather Service says.

Memphis emergency officials cautioned Saturday that the full effect of the winter storm has not yet been felt.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ goals as he leaves office at the end of August include negotiating new terms for funding universal prekindergarten services across the county.

Read The Daily Memphian’s continuing coverage of the winter weather impacting the Memphis area.

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DeSoto County urges ‘emergency travel only’ as ice and staff shortages snarl roads

The emergency declaration allows the city to seek reimbursement for emergency expenses incurred during the storm scheduled to hit Memphis this weekend. 

Memphis Mayor Paul Young and the head of MLGW Doug McGowen are offering some hope — but also some warnings — as the city braces for a winter storm that’s already drawing comparisons to the 1994 ice storm.

When the storm hits late Friday, expect lots of sleet, perhaps an “unprecedented amount,” but not so much snow or ice, according to the National Weather Service.

What’s closed in Memphis for the 2026 ice storm? We keep you up-to-date here, including school closings, warming center info, trash pickup and more. 

The City of Memphis will host a news conference at 9:15 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at the Office of Emergency Management.

Craig Brewer’s new film gets an Oscar nom, more affordable housing is coming and there’s a vegan restaurant for sale.

Arlington and Bartlett officials are preparing for the anticipated winter storm this weekend, running through the checklist of emergency necessities.

With the uncertainty of just what type of precipitation will move into North Mississippi this weekend, cities across DeSoto County are gearing up for a tough time.

The vacant lot is one of 43 in North Memphis and Binghampton assembled for construction of new homes to own and rent in an attempt for the city to fix its shortage of quality affordable housing.

For the past three weeks, nearly 35 MSCS schools have been without janitorial services because of the stalled contract.

Conditions over the weekend could be as bad as the 1994 ice storm that crippled Memphis.

When Oscar nominations were announced Thursday, Jan. 22, one relative surprise was a Best Actress nomination for Kate Hudson, who plays Milwaukee tribute singer Claire Sardina in “Song Sung Blue.”

Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel says 100 state troopers will remain in Memphis full-time after the federal Task Force leaves.

Memphis probably won’t get 2 feet of snow this weekend. But meteorologists agree it’s too soon to be sure what we are getting. 

Funeral home drops Brent Taylor’s name, Chef Jimmy Gentry gets his flowers and the Tigers don’t know what happened.

Last week, the Memphis Grizzlies organization — the players, members of the front office, the entertainment team, the mascot — traveled to Europe. So did The Daily Memphian. 

On Wednesday, Jan. 21, grocery-store parking lots were busy, shelves were picked over and checkout lines were backed up down aisles. Eggs, bread and milk were already scarce.