Pearl, Miss. (MEMA)- The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is encouraging Mississippians to prepare for potential cold weather and freezing temperatures this week. The National Weather Service is forecasting freezing temperatures Sunday night into Monday morning, with a significant freeze Monday night into Tuesday morning. With temperatures dropping below freezing for much of Mississippi, now is a good time to prepare for the winter months ahead.
Here are some ways to prepare your family, home, and vehicle for the upcoming winter season:
Winterize Your Home:
- Store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace or wood-burning stove.
- Insulate walls and attics; use caulk and weather stripping around doors and windows. Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic.
- Clear rain gutters, repair roof leaks, and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm.
- Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic, and allow faucets to drip slightly during cold weather to avoid freezing.
- Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and ensure everyone in your house knows how to use them.
- Learn how to shut off water valves in case of a pipe bursting.
- Know ahead of time what you should do to help elderly or disabled friends, neighbors, or employees.
Your disaster go-kit for your family should include:
| Non-perishable food for family and pets | Water (1gallon per family member per day) | Extra blankets |
| Dry Firewood | Additional Medications | First Aid Kit |
| Phone Charger | Hygiene Items | Flashlights with extra batteries |
Car Kit Checklist:
| Windshield scraper | Flashlight with extra batteries | Jumper cables |
| First Aid Kit | Blankets | Cellphone Charger |
| Water/Snacks | Emergency flares or reflectors |