Latest Forecast Has Oxford Emergency Planners Working Hard

Jimmy Allgood, director of Oxford’s Emergency Management Agency, says that despite the lack of snow and ice so far, city employees are preparing for the storm’s last gasp today.
According to the weather Service in Memphis, the latest forecast is:
• Today, freezing rain and sleet before noon, then snow, freezing rain, and sleet likely. High near 32. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Total daytime ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.3 of an inch possible. Total daytime snow and sleet accumulation of less than one inch possible.
• Tonight, patchy freezing fog after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Thursday, patchy freezing fog before 9 a.m. Then, sunny, with a high near 48. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.
“My office tracks the latest weather reports and loops in all the city agencies to keep them up to speed on the current risk,” Allgood said. “That includes Oxford Police, Fire Department and Public Works. They treat the roads with a compound we call slag. This material doesn’t melt the ice, but offers drivers a little better traction on the slick roads.”
Trouble spots, like bridges, hills, overpasses, on and off ramps and winding roads get special attention, Allgood added.
So take comfort. There’s still a day for Oxford’s latest storm watch, but city officials are still on the lookout.
Andy Knef is HottyToddy.com editor. He can be reached at Andy.Knef@ HottyToddy.com