MDOT crews prepare for possible winter storm

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – The possible wintry mix of snow and ice has put the Mississippi Department of Transportation on high alert.

As MDOT Engineer Matt Dunn was checking weather forecasts, crews were attaching snow plows onto MDOT trucks.

The District One Office in Tupelo serves a 16 county area and Dunn said everyone will be ready if and when the winter storm hits.

“We’re preparing for anywhere from icy conditions on the roads, to snow covered roads,” said Dunn.

MDOT will respond as information is issued by the National Weather Service.  Dunn , along with several colleagues, will work out of a conference room at the District One Office, keeping in contact with the Emergency Operations Center in Jackson, and crews riding the highways.

Dunn said one of the most dangerous weather events is known as a flash freeze and it occurs when temperatures plummet after rainfall. Bridges and overpasses have been known to freeze at the same time across a wide area.

That’s why MDOT trucks are also equipped with salt spreaders. Each truck carries six thousand pounds of salt to help provide better traction on the bridges and overpasses.

However, Dunn encourages people to stay off of the roads if the deep freeze hits.

“It will be difficult to see icy conditions on the road, even though you might see little flurries coming down, there might have been some frozen precipitation before that or during the event, which would cause the possible conditions of slippery bridges and also possible slippery, shady areas on your roads, so definitely watch out for black ice, mainly, I would suggest, drive safely, drive cautiously, if you don’t have to get out, don’t be out,” Dunn said.

MDOT is also mixing batches of salt and water to create brine. The mixture is sprayed on roadways to help keep frozen precipitation from sticking.