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JACKSON – The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is urging emergency travel only for motorists in areas heavily impacted by yesterday’s winter storm.

Ice is still being reported on roads, bridges and overpasses in 21 counties. Counties currently experiencing ice include Adams, Amite, Covington, Forrest, Franklin, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Stone, Walthall, and Wilkinson.

Crews will be working in full force to treat affected roadways in southeastern counties today. They will be plowing and applying sand and slag to bridges and trouble spots to provide traction and melt the ice. Plowing operations will be most prevalent in the coastal counties where there is more accumulation. The rising temperatures and widespread sunshine should aid in melting snow.

In southwest Mississippi, crews are also plowing and applying de-icing treatment to roadways. Additional snowplows and crew members are being deployed from the northern portion of the state. They are concentrating on removing snow and ice from interstates and state-maintained highways and bridges.

While plowing and treatment operations progress, MDOT warns that tonight’s low temperatures will likely refreeze treated roads and bridges in some areas.

The State Route 609 bridge in Jackson County, the I-110 bridge and U.S. 90 Biloxi Bay Bridge in Harrison County remain closed due to icy conditions.

“Please allow space for our crews to work as we recover from this winter storm,” said MDOT Executive Director Brad White. “If you have to travel, remain cautious of changing road conditions.”

MDOT recommends emergency travel only in impacted counties. For emergency travel, the agency offers these safe driving tips:

• Remember, ice will form on bridges and overpasses quicker than the road.

• Remain cautious in areas with overhanging trees and other shady areas where moisture can accumulate and refreeze.

• Slow down.

• Watch out for black ice, which can be difficult to see, especially at night.

• Allow more space between the vehicles around you.

•Brake early and gently to avoid skidding, and never slam on the brakes.

• Avoid distractions, such as talking or texting on a cell phone.

• Stay alert.

For more information on how to prepare for winter weather, visit GoMDOT.com/winter. For real-time road conditions on Mississippi’s highways and bridges, download the MDOT Traffic mobile app, visit MDOTtraffic.com and follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).