Mississippi evacuating stranded drivers on ice-covered interstates amid subzero temperatures

More than 140,000 customers across Mississippi are still without power and heat after Sunday’s monster storm paralyzed the region with ice. Roadways remain hazardous as bone-chilling temperatures are allowing the 1 inch of ice to linger. FOX Weather Correspondent Brandy Campbell has the latest from Oxford:

BATESVILLE, Miss. – A dangerous situation is unfolding across northern Mississippi as freezing temperatures have iced-over major interstates and bridges. Governor Tate Reeves said late Tuesday that first responders, including the National Guard, are rescuing drivers stranded behind wrecks on Interstate 55 — the state’s major north-south artery.

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The Mississippi Department of Public Safety said vehicles were stranded on Interstate 22 as well as other state and county roads in the northern part of the state.

There’s no word on any deaths specifically resulting from these pileups, but Gov. Reeves reported that at least four deaths have been attributed to last weekend’s historic winter storm.

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Major traffic standstill on Interstate 22 in Mississippi Tuesday.

(Mississippi Highway Patrol/Facebook / FOX Weather)

Mississippi has borne the brunt of some of the worst impacts of the cross-country system with widespread icing that has taken down trees and power lines.

More than 120,000 customers were still in the dark across the state as of early Wednesday, with freezing temperatures expected to persist through much of the week.

State DOT cameras showed stalled traffic on I-22 overnight in Marshall County just south of Memphis, Tennessee.

Oxford, Mississippi was battered by life-threatening ice from a massive nationwide storm on Jan. 25, leaving widespread damage—including major structural damage, fallen trees, and downed power lines—that continues to affect the area through the week.

(FOX Weather/Brandy Campbell / FOX Weather)

According to the FOX Forecast Center, visibility was down to a half-mile, due to freezing fog, with temperatures around 23 degrees.

The National Weather Service office in Memphis issued a Freezing Fog Advisory through Wednesday morning.

WHAT IS FREEZING FOG?

Freezing fog reduced visibility in northern Mississippi early Wednesday.

(FOX Weather / FOX Weather)

Late Tuesday, the state DPS warned drivers on Interstate 55 north of Batesville and Interstate 22 north of Lake Center to turn around immediately.

“These roadways are in extremely dangerous condition,” the department said in an urgent news release.

Crews worked late into the evening to remove stranded vehicles.

Nashville was slammed by a major winter storm that produced damaging ice storm that has caused thousands of power outages and chaotic travel conditions across the Metro Area.

(Yuri Mamchur)

Stalled traffic was seen throughout the day Tuesday, as drivers navigated treacherous conditions despite the governor and local leaders urging drivers to stay off the roads.

Check back for updates on this developing story.