Update: Day 2 of ice storm, flooding rains unfolding across parts of Mississippi
Mississippi has been put under a state of emergency after more than half of the state's counties reported impacts from a significant ice storm and flooding.
Gov. Phil Bryant declared the emergency Monday night, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).
The unfolding ice storm has left many counties across the Delta and north-central areas of Mississippi with at least a quarter of an inch of ice on trees and power lines along with ice-covered bridges and overpasses on Monday.
There have been numerous reports of downed trees and power lines due to the weight of the ice in some areas.
View slideshow: Ice storm unfolding in Mississippi (Jan. 14, 2013)
Also, the added rainfall on top of already saturated soils, has resulted in numerous reports of flooding and with more rain on the way for Tuesday, more widespread flooding problems are likely.
At least 45 out of the state's 82 counties have reported impacts from this winter storm including Alcorn, Attala, Benton, Bolivar, Calhoun, Carroll, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Clarke, Clay, Coahoma, DeSoto, George, Greene, Grenada, Hancock, Harrison, Hinds, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Itawamba, Jackson, Jones, Lafayette, Lawrence, Leake, Lee, Leflore, Lowndes, Madison, Marshall, Monroe, Montgomery, Neshoba, Oktibbeha, Panola, Pearl River, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Quitman, Rankin, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Tunica, Union, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Winston, Yalobusha and Yazoo.
An ice storm warning remains in effect for the Delta through Tuesday afternoon with a winter storm watch, along with winter weather advisories in effect elsewhere across northern Mississippi.
The state of emergency is an administrative tool, which allows the state to offer support to the areas impacted by this weather event.
“We are taking the threat of severe weather seriously, and we are working to ensure that local officials have the tools they need to respond properly,” Gov. Bryant said.
Any additional counties with damages or impacts due to the ongoing winter weather will also be covered by this emergency declaration.
MEMA officials said they are working closely with local emergency managers to identify any unmet needs counties and communities have in impacted areas in the state.
This is a developing situation and everyone should stay updated on the latest weather information as it becomes available.
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