• Mississippi is preparing for a significant winter storm with emergency supplies positioned statewide.
• Governor Tate Reeves has activated the state Emergency Operation Center to distribute supplies.
• Ice is projected across the state, with significant accumulation expected in the northwest.
• The Mississippi Department of Transportation has been pre-treating roads and bridges since Wednesday.
• Residents are urged to check on friends, family, and neighbors during the severe weather event.

State agents and private partners are positioned around the state with emergency supplies to support Mississippians this weekend ahead of the projected winter storm, said Gov. Tate Reeves at a Friday news conference at the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson.

Local emergency managers are distributing blankets and cots, and four counties opened shelters Friday, with two more set to open Saturday afternoon. Reeves said he spoke with the White House to activate the state Emergency Operation Center, which has distributed supplies throughout the state.

“We do not have unmet needs at this time,” he said. “We’ll see if more support is needed over the next 48-72 hours.”

Every county in MS could be affected: NWS warns all MS counties of extreme cold. North can expect ice, snow

Reeves said ice is projected as far south as the Gulf Coast region, with significant ice and sleet expected in the northwest section of the state.

The state Department of Transportation has been treating roads and bridges since Wednesday, he said, but ice could remain in parts of Mississippi into next week if the temperature stays under freezing.

“The most important thing I can say to Mississippians is, over the next 48 to 72 hours, check on your friends, family and neighbors,” Reeves said. 

Reeves said generators were ready to be deployed to long-term care facilities.

Reeves notes that while it was 55 degrees in Jackson on Friday afternoon, temperatures had already fallen to 38 in Tunica in the Northwest part of the state.

Latest winter storm forecast: Winter storm forecast for Mississippi. State of emergency declared

How to avoid frozen pipes: Bitter cold is coming. When should you drip water faucets? Avoid frozen pipes

A massive winter storm is set to sweep snow and freezing rain from New Mexico up to New England this weekend. Parts of Mississippi are expected to get debilitating accumulations of snow, ice or both in the system that will affect more than 24 states.

This week, Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore warned people to plan for potentially long power outages in Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina.

“In a storm like this, FREEZING RAIN of that magnitude is a disaster. This could be where some of the biggest impacts lie simply because of extended power loss with very cold air to follow the storm,” he posted on X Wednesday morning.

AccuWeather noted that the winter weather will snarl roads and could delay traffic and close schools for days.

“Potentially hundreds of thousands of people may go without electricity and heat for days,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said in an online forecast.

Follow the National Weather Service and local meteorologists for the most current weather outlook for your town. Know how to report a power outage to a Mississippi utility company to get help as soon as possible, and check out a map of outages to see how many people are affected in the Magnolia State.

What does the Mississippi forecast call for?

Most of Mississippi will be affected by the winter storm. Northern parts of the state could see inches of snow, and a large swath will be affected by freezing rain that will turn into ice accumulations.

Forecasters have warned that some people around the country should plan for extended outages. They’re advised to buy enough food and water to survive without power for several days. Be sure homes are winterized and have emergency kits in your home or car.

Need to report a power outage in Mississippi?

The Mississippi Public Service Commission lists 61 electric utility providers across the state, including municipal providers and co-ops, sometimes called an Electric Power Association.

➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events in your area

To report an outage, you’ll likely need your account number or the phone number on the account. Some services have websites to notify them of outages, and others may have report-by-text options. Check out options early to be be prepared.

See Mississippi power outage map

This map tracks more than 1,000 companies across the U.S. and updates every 15 minutes.

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.