MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Another round of winter weather brought ice and sleet to parts of the Mid-South Thursday.
Tipton County reported many trees and power lines downed from the winter weather. Sheriff Shannon Beasley said in a social media post that deputies responded to 108 trees down and 38 calls about power lines down Thursday.
Beasley also said they responded to three crashes, one of which was deadly, when a driver hit a tree. Further details were not released.
Slick roads were reported in Northeastern Arkansas where the highest ice accumulations have been. Several schools in both Arkansas and Tennessee closed or moved to virtual learning. (See list below.)
ABC 24 also received reports of power lines down in north Shelby County.
Millington received freezing rain overnight. Residents are experiencing power outages, and trees are down in the area.
Here is a list schools that were closed Thursday:
- Armorel School District Closed, Virtual Learning
- Bells City Schools Closed
- Blytheville School District Closed, Virtual Learning
- Crockett County Schools Closed
- Cross County School District Closed, Virtual Learning
- Dyer County Schools Closed
- Dyersburg City Schools Closed
- Dyersburg State Comm. College Closed, Virtual Learning
- East Poinsett County Schools Closed, Virtual Learning
- Fayette Academy Closed
- Fayette County Public Schools Closed
- Gosnell School District Closed, Virtual Learning
- Harrisburg School District Closed, Virtual Learning
- Haywood County School District Closed
- Lauderdale County Schools Closed
- Marked Tree School District Closed
- Millington Municipal Schools Closed
- Osceola School District Closed, Virtual Learning
- Palestine-Wheatley School District Closed, Virtual Learning
- Rivercrest School District Closed, Virtual Learning
- Tipton Christian Academy Closed
- Tipton County Schools Closed
- Tipton-Rosemark Academy Closed
- Trumann School District Closed, Virtual Learning
How freezing rain impacts the Mid-South
- Road conditions can be severely impacted during inclement weather conditions. The roads will be slick in some areas because of the freezing rain. Other areas will experience heavy rain that will cause flooding. Just a little bit of slushy ice and increased flooding can cause crippling delays. Winter driving can be dangerous. According to the Federal Highway Administration, freezing rain can affect visibility, traffic speed and traction on the road.
- Power outages are a major concern as well. Keep flashlights and microwaveable food handy to prepare for outage inconveniences.
- Heavy rain and thunderstorms can cause trees and branches to snap and fall onto homes and vehicles. If possible, park away from trees.
What you can do to prepare
- Creating a winter safety kit for your car can provided added safety. Here are a few items that you can put in your kit: Batteries, blankets, cat litter for traction, a first aid kit, flashlight, phone charger, rope, snacks and most importantly water.
- If you live in a home and your lights go off, having a generator could help tremendously. But, it is very important that you use the generator in a safe manner.
