JACKSON — South Mississippi residents were ready for the big thaw today as temperatures were rapidly heading to the 50s and remaining ice was melting on bridges and roads.
Emergency officials in Harrison, Jackson and Hancock counties said they would be out early today seeing how the ice was melting on key bridges from Biloxi to Ocean Springs and from Pass Christian to Bay St. Louis.
Jackson County Emergency Services Director Earl Etheridge said the bridges on U.S. Highway 90 between Pascagoula and Gautier were still one-lane early today.
Roads in south Mississippi were getting into good shape, but some icing remained, said the Highway Patrol and the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
One lane on the eastbound side of the Mississippi River bridge between Natchez and Vidalia, La., was opened late Wednesday. MDOT crews were continuing to de-ice the bridge, which was closed about 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Some south Mississippi schools planned to reopen at 10 a.m. today, while others were taking a snow day.
“It’s looking much better. It’s starting off cold but should warm up quite a bit this afternoon,” National Weather Service meteorologist Phil Brigsby said. “It’s still about 10 degrees colder than what we should be this time of year, but it’s a vast improvement over what we have experienced the last couple of days.”
Brigsby said any lingering ice should melt during the afternoon hours and by Saturday temperatures across Mississippi will be pushing 70 degrees.
Harrison County Emergency Management liaison officer Carlos Redmon said as temperatures come up, bridges will start to open. He said all other roads were looking good. “We’re telling people if they don’t have to be on the road then don’t be on the road. If they have to, stay to the main thoroughfares and be cautious of the small bridges on back roads,” he said.
