Mississippi

Where are tornado sirens in Hinds County MS? What residents should know

Published

1 hour ago

March 12, 2026

Where are tornado sirens in Hinds County MS? What residents should know

For many Mississippi residents, the first sign of a tornado warning today comes from a smartphone. Wireless emergency alerts, weather apps and social media often notify people about dangerous storms before an outdoor siren ever sounds.

But tornado sirens remain an important warning system in Hinds County — particularly for residents who may not have reliable internet access or smartphones.

A public records request obtained by the Clarion Ledger shows dozens of outdoor warning sirens placed in Hinds County, including locations throughout Jackson and in smaller communities in the county.

County officials say the sirens still serve an important role in making sure residents hear warnings when severe weather approaches.

Technology has changed dramatically since the March 3, 1966, Candlestick Park tornado, one of the deadliest storms in Mississippi history. The storm tore through South Jackson and other parts of central Mississippi, killing 57 people statewide, including 12 at the Candlestick Park shopping center. More recently, a powerful tornado struck the Mississippi Delta town of Rolling Fork in March 2023, killing 17 people and destroying much of the community.

While warning technology has advanced, emergency officials said systems such as outdoor sirens remain an important part of the region’s severe weather preparedness.

Where are the tornado sirens in Hinds County?

Records provided by Hinds County show a total of 74 outdoor warning sirens located throughout the county at parks, intersections, schools and other public areas.

The placements are intended to cover both populated neighborhoods and rural areas where residents may have fewer ways to receive weather alerts.

Why tornado sirens are still needed in Hinds County

Even as phone alerts become more common, county leaders said sirens remain important for residents who may not have reliable internet service or smartphones.

Hinds County Supervisor Robert Graham, who represents District 1, said the county plans to install two additional tornado sirens, though supply chain issues have delayed their arrival.

“We still are planning on doing it,” Graham said. “They’re still on order, and we’re just waiting for them to come in.”

County leaders had hoped to install the sirens before the start of tornado season, but Graham said delivery timelines remain uncertain.

“It’s all dependent upon the supply chain,” he said.

Graham said the county has made progress expanding internet access in recent years, particularly in northern Hinds County. But even with improved connectivity, he believes outdoor sirens remain an important backup warning system.

“A lot of elderly people, a lot of people in the city and outside the city still depend upon that air raid siren,” Graham said.

He said the continued demand becomes clear during the county’s monthly siren tests.

“When they do not go off, my phone will light up like a Christmas tree,” Graham said.

Sirens can also provide warnings when people may not have access to phones or electricity, he said.

“You may or may not have your phone with you,” Graham said. “And if the power is out, you may not be able to charge your phone.”

When is tornado season in Mississippi?

Unlike parts of the Midwest, Mississippi does not have a single, defined tornado season.

“Our main time is March, April and May,” said Michael Hill, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson. “But I like to tell people we have year-round tornadoes.”

Hill said another active period often occurs in the fall and winter months when weather fronts moving across the region combine with warm, moisture-rich air from the Gulf of Mexico. Because Mississippi sits closer to that moisture source than states farther north, the ingredients for severe storms can come together more frequently.

What to do if you hear a tornado siren

Emergency officials say hearing a tornado siren means residents should seek shelter immediately.

“If you hear a tornado siren, you should just take cover,” Hill said.

The safest place during a tornado warning is an interior room on the lowest floor of a building, away from windows and exterior walls.

“If you’re in your house, go to your lowest floor, interior room, bathroom, put as many walls as you can between you and the outside and hunker down safely,” Hill said.

Hill also recommends protecting your head from flying debris, which causes many tornado injuries.

“We like to tell people to wear helmets to protect their heads because a lot of the problems with tornadoes is debris flying,” he said.

Charlie Drape is the Jackson beat reporter. Contact him at cdrape@gannett.com.

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Mississippi

Volunteers sought for continued winter storm relief efforts in Tennessee, Mississippi

Published

13 hours ago

March 12, 2026

Press Room

Volunteers sought for continued winter storm relief efforts in Tennessee, Mississippi

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – A group that lent a helping hand to thousands in the Mid-South during the January 2026 winter storm is looking for volunteers to continue the work.

Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian humanitarian aid organization, was there for many people in North Mississippi and Southwest Tennessee when residents lost power, water, and suffered damage to their homes.

So far, Samaritan’s Purse has completed over 700 work orders, but there is still much work to be done.

The organization now needs volunteers to help residents Monday through Saturday for the next two and a half weeks. The scheduled completion for the work is Saturday, March 28.

How to sign up

Samaritan’s Purse has been hosting volunteer orientations in Corinth, Mississippi, and Adamsville, Tennessee, to assist homeowners in surrounding areas affected by the storm with debris cleanup and tree work.

Those who register for the Adamsville orientation will take trips to assist in areas of McNairy and Hardin Counties.

Those who register for the Corinth orientation will take trips to assist in areas of Alcorn, Tippah and Tishomingo Counties.

Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age or older.

More information can be found on Samaritan Purse’s registration links.

Click here to register for the volunteer effort led in Adamsville.

Click here to register for the volunteer effort led in Corinth.

Click here to sign up for our newsletter!

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Mississippi

Entergy: Customers in Mississippi saving $2 billion due to construction of data centers – SuperTalk Mississippi

Published

1 day ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Entergy: Customers in Mississippi saving billion due to construction of data centers – SuperTalk Mississippi

Electric power distribution company Entergy has announced that customers in Mississippi will save more than $2 billion on power bills due to data center projects in its service range.

Entergy Mississippi customers join those in Louisiana and Arkansas as the largest recipients of a broader $5 billion in savings. The company’s announcement comes after Amazon Web Services announced plans to build a pair of multi-billion-dollar data centers in Madison County and another in Warren County, along with AVAIO Digital settling on Rankin County as a data center destination.

While ratepayers in the areas where data centers are being constructed voiced concerns of bill hikes, Entergy Mississippi President and CEO Haley Fisackerly has maintained that the projects will have the opposite effect on the wallets of utility customers. Fisackerly added that having a big customer — like Amazon — helps offset the rising cost of powering homes, small businesses, and even healthcare facilities.

“When you don’t have growth, and 25% of your customers are below the national poverty level, affordability becomes a big concern,” Fisackerly said on MidDays with Gerard Gibert. “Just like any business or community, you need growth. You need economies of scale. By bringing in a large customer like AWS, they are bringing the volume we need, but they also bring in additional revenues that are going to allow us to invest more to improve reliability.”

Not only is the money Entergy Mississippi is bringing in from data center owners helping customers save money, but it is also going toward major grid upgrades that consumers don’t have to subsidize, Fisackerly said. Efforts by the state legislature, Gov. Tate Reeves, and the Mississippi Public Service Commission paved the way for large companies constructing data centers to contribute to a $300 million “Superpower Mississippi” campaign by Entergy to modernize and improve power lines and systems.

These grid upgrades are expected to reduce power outages, which is a plus in a state prone to year-round inclement weather events, and make services more reliable for customers.

“These large technology customers will help pay the cost for needed power grid maintenance and upgrades that would otherwise have been borne by our existing customers,” Fisackerly continued. “During a rising cost environment, when we are having to replace two half-century-old power plants with new units, securing such relief right now is perfect timing for our residential and small commercial customers.”

Though concerns remain about the environmental impacts data centers will have on the area, along with the possible noise associated with powering them, officials contend that the affordability of utilities can be erased from the list of worries.

Entergy’s existing agreements with data center owners have been structured to benefit all ratepayers, while also protecting existing customers from risks, the company announced. The company included prepayment requirements, multi-year contract terms, credit and collateral requirements, and early termination penalties in contracts with data center owners to protect existing customers.

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Mississippi

Thompson defeats Turnage to highlight U.S. House primaries in Mississippi – SuperTalk Mississippi

Published

2 days ago

March 11, 2026

Press Room

Thompson defeats Turnage to highlight U.S. House primaries in Mississippi – SuperTalk Mississippi

Political newcomer and Capitol Hill attorney Evan Turnage proved no match for longtime U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, who defeated him and one other challenger to earn the Democratic nomination for Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday.

Some politicos thought Turnage – who went to Yale and later worked for some of Thompson’s Democratic colleagues, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) – wouldn’t necessarily win but could make waves as one of the more viable candidates to challenge Thompson in recent years. However, that wasn’t the case as Thompson garnered approximately 85% of the vote when the race was called.

Democrat Evan Turnage, who is challenging Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., in the March primary, poses for a portrait in Jackson, Miss., Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Sophie Bates, File)

Thompson, 78, is seeking an 18th term. The civil rights leader who chaired the Jan. 6 Committee was first elected in 1993 and serves as a ranking member on the House Homeland Security Committee. He will face either Ron Eller or Kevin Wilson on the Republican side, a race yet to be called as of late Tuesday night, and independent Bennie Foster in November’s general.

All of Mississippi’s U.S. House seats are up for grabs this year.

In the 1st Congressional District, Republican Rep. Trent Kelly ran unopposed, while civil rights attorney and University of Mississippi School of Law professor Cliff Johnson beat former state lawmaker Kelvin Buck in the Democratic primary. Libertarian challenger Johnny Baucom awaits Kelly and Johnson in the general.

In the 3rd Congressional District, both Republican Rep. Michael Guest and Democrat Michael Chiaradio ran unopposed. They will meet Libertarian Erik Kiehle in the general.

In the 4th Congressional District, Republican Rep. Mike Ezell had over 80% of the vote when his race was called against former Mississippi Department of Marine Resources officer and political staffer Sawyer Walters. State Rep. Jeffrey Hulum easily won the Democratic nomination over Paul Blackman and D. Ryan Grover. Ezell and Hulum will face independent Carl Boyanton in the general.

Arguably the most watched races of the night occurred in the state’s lone U.S. Senate seat in this year’s cycle. Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith had no problem with Ocean Springs doctor Sarah Adlakha, seeing her name bolded around 30 minutes after the polls closed. It wasn’t long after that when Lowndes County District Attorney Scott Colom was announced the winner of the Democratic primary over Priscilla Till and Albert Littell. Independent Ty Pinkins will meet Hyde-Smith and Colom in the general on Nov. 3.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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