This is a question I wish I could answer for certain. But I can’t. No with 100-percent certainty, at least. There are many factors that go into figuring out how long you may be without power. Your location, your relative distance to the nearest transformer, how many trees are on your property, how many trees are running along the power lines near your home, how much ice accumulation you receive, etc.
There are many moving parts. And it would be impossible to nail down specifically for each point.
I will say this, regardless of your situation, it would be a great idea to charge any and all devices tonight and tomorrow morning, just in case you lose power.
That said, I can give you an idea based on what we have learned from the past as well as what the National Weather Service is saying.
Here is a look at the forecasts from each NWS office in the area…
Ice potential / Potential power outage length
Again, I want to really emphasize that these are ‘reasonable worst-case scenario’ numbers. The goal here is to help you prepare for the ‘worst’ while hoping for the best.
This ice storm may bring down a lot of trees and power lines in the areas that are hit the hardest with the heaviest precipitation amounts.
Northern Counties
Simpson – Up to 3/4″ of ice & power out for up to two weeks
Smith – Up to 1/2″ of ice & power out for up to several days
Jasper – Up to 1/2″ of ice & power out for up to several days
Clarke – Up to 1/4″ of ice & power out for up to a few days
HWY 84 Corridor
Lawrence – Up to 3/4″ of ice & power out for up to two weeks
Jefferson Davis – Up to 1/2″ of ice & power out for up to several days
Covington – Up to 1/2″ of ice & power out for up to several days
Jones – Up to 1/4″ of ice & power out for up to a few days
Wayne – Up to 1/4″ of ice & power out for up to a few days
HWY 98 Corridor
Walthall – Up to 1/2″ of ice & power out for up to several days
Marion – Up to 1/2″ of ice & power out for up to several days
Lamar – Up to 1/4″ of ice & power out for up to a few days
Forrest – Up to 1/4″ of ice & power out for up to a few days
Perry – Up to 1/10″ of ice & power out for up to a few days
Greene – Up to 1/10″ of ice & power out for up to a few days
HWY 26 Corridor
PearlRiver – Up to 1/10″ of ice & power out for up to a few days
Stone – Up to 1/10″ of ice & power out for up to a few days
George – Some icing possible & power out for up to two days
Important note
Again, I really want to emphasize that if you lose power, there is a pretty good likelihood that you will get it back on in a few hours or within 24 hours. Especially those who live in a town or city.
But for those of you who live in rural areas, the NWS is warning that it may be awhile for some before power is restored.
On top of that, know that the overnight hours for a few days after all of this precipitation will be below freezing. So if you live somewhere that loses power, prepare to find a way to keep yourself warm at night.
