Lafayette County prepares for winter storm expected to bring hazardous travel conditions

Lafayette County, Miss., is preparing for a winter storm expected to begin early Saturday morning, with hazardous travel conditions anticipated by daybreak, according to county officials.

County road crews have staged equipment and are treating roads and bridges. They are ready to begin clearing roads as soon as conditions allow, officials said.

Warming centers have been established throughout Lafayette County, with plans to open additional locations if needed. Emergency management officials are coordinating with local power providers on restoration efforts and working with partner agencies to identify additional resources if significant icing occurs.

“Our teams have been preparing for this storm and are ready to respond as conditions develop,” said Lafayette County Emergency Management Director Steve Quarles. “We’ve been working closely with our road department, public safety partners, and power providers to be ready for impacts and to support the community through any icing and power disruptions.”

County Administrator Kate Victor urged residents to complete final preparations before conditions worsen. “We’re asking everyone to make final preparations today and tonight because we expect roads to become too hazardous for travel by morning,” she said. “All county agencies are prepared, and we will continue coordinating our response to keep residents as safe as possible.”

The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department are ready to respond to emergencies during the storm. Officials recommend residents avoid unnecessary travel once freezing precipitation begins, check on neighbors who may need assistance, and ensure they have a way to stay warm during potential power outages. Residents are advised to monitor Lafayette County EMA communications for updates on road conditions, warming centers, and storm impacts.

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