Authorities prepare for Ida, one of the strongest hurricanes in recorded history

Hurricane Ida will be one of the strongest hurricanes to ever make landfall along the Gulf Coast. Ida is currently a Category 4, but could strengthen to a Category 5 before moving inland.

The impact will be life-threatening, even as it moves into the ArkLaMiss region later today and into Monday.  Hurricane and tropical force wind gusts across a large portion of our region could result in power outages that could last for days or even weeks.

Local authorities gathered for another briefing this afternoon to prepare resources for the impending storm. Entergy has also rallied crews in anticipation of service outages.

“We’re ready,” Sheriff Martin Pace said.

All non-essential Warren County employees have been instructed to shelter-in-place Monday.  The grand jury has also been called off for Monday, but all jurors are to report on Tuesday morning.

The Vicksburg Warren School District has also announced that all schools and offices will be closed on Monday as well.

Waste Management says that crews will not pick up residential garbage on Monday, and they plan to resume service on Tuesday.

Mayor Flaggs has recommended declaring a state of emergency to facilitate the fastest possible response for aid if the need arises.

If your power is out, there are several food and water safety tips to follow to ensure what you eat and drink is safe for consumption:

• If power is out for less than two hours, food in your refrigerator and freezer will be safe to eat. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold longer.
• After two hours, a freezer that is half full will hold food safely for up to 24 hours. A full freezer will hold food safely for 48 hours.
• After two hours, pack milk, other dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, gravy, and spoilable leftovers into a cooler surrounded by ice. Inexpensive Styrofoam coolers are fine for this purpose.
• Safe water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene includes bottled, boiled, or treated water. Watch for specific boil water alerts in your area.
• Do not use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash, and prepare food, wash your hands, make ice, or make baby formula. If possible, use baby formula that does not need to have water added.
• Boiling water, when practical, is the preferred way to kill harmful bacteria and parasites. Bringing water to a rolling boil for 1 minute will kill most organisms.

MSDH recommends the following precautions to help prevent potentially fatal carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Do not burn charcoal or gas grills inside a house, garage, vehicle, tent, or fireplace. Do not use gas-powered generators or pressure washers in enclosed spaces including indoors or in the garage. If you suspect you are experiencing any symptoms of CO poisoning, such as dizziness, headache or shortness of breath, open doors and windows, turn off gas appliances and go outside. In cases of severe CO poisoning, call 911 emergency services or the Mississippi Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.