Jackson area under tornado watch until 11 a.m. Friday

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Jackson announces shelter opening

Updated at 10 a.m.: The City of Jackson, in partnership with the Red Cross of Central Mississippi, Shower Power and the People's Advocacy Institute, will manage a temporary shelter at Shepard's Gym at 1355 Hattiesburg St. (near Jim Hill High School), the City of Jackson announced.

The shelter will be open to the public beginning at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15. Food and cots will be available.

“City leaders caution residents to stay home if possible in the event of wintry precipitation. Unlike Northern cities, Jackson and much of Mississippi is not equipped to deal with widespread freezing precipitation,” a press release states. “These conditions can lead to a mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain, which makes traveling on Jackson roadways perilous. Residents are advised to monitor National Weather Service forecasts and local media reports.”

Also, the Jackson Police Department is implementing a security plan and is going to 12-hour shifts to accommodate residents during this extreme weather, city officials said.

Area schools

Area schools are keeping an eye on the weather as emergency officials warned of possible damaging winds and rains into the morning hours on Friday.

Much of the area was placed under a tornado watch until 11 a.m.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency reported the risk of severe weather overnight was upgraded Thursday afternoon.

"There's an enhanced risk for a large portion of the state," MEMA said on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Risks include widespread damaging winds from 60 to 80 mph and numerous power outages. Tornadoes can’t be ruled out."

6:20 a.m.: Madison County Schools open Friday

Madison County Schools announced the district will remain open as normal Friday.

"While we remain alert to weather conditions," the district statement read, "MCS plans to observe a regular school schedule on Friday."

The district announced it is monitoring the weather and will communicate any changes.

5:30 a.m.: Jackson Public Schools open on Friday

Jackson Public Schools will operate as normal on Friday. The district issued the following statement Friday morning:

"Jackson Public Schools will resume its regular schedule this morning. All schools will be open for in-person learning. We will continue to monitor the weather conditions and notify you of any changes."

The cities of Jackson, Flowood and Byram remain in a boil-water notice on Friday.

5 a.m. Friday: Tornado watch issued for Central Mississippi

The National Weather Service in Jackson has issued a tornado watch for much of Central Mississippi until 11 a.m. Friday.

All of the Jackson area is included, with Hinds, Madison, Rankin and Warren counties all on the tornado watch list by the NWS.

The tornado watch also includes the Mississippi Delta, including neighboring counties such as Yazoo County. Parts of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas are also included.

Rankin County schools watching weather overnight

Rankin County School District officials are "closely monitoring the forecast for potential severe weather in our area."

"In collaboration with Rankin County Emergency Management officials and the National Weather Service, we are dedicated to prioritizing safety in our decision-making process," the district announced on Facebook. "At this time, we will continue with a normal school day schedule tomorrow."

— Ross Reily, Clarion Ledger

Madison County schools monitoring weather

Madison County School District officials said they will continue to monitor the weather. They encouraged parents to say weather aware by following local news and the district's website and social media.

"MCS will make a decision regarding any possible school schedule changes as more accurate information about the projected timing and intensity of the storms becomes available," the district reported. "In the meantime, please remember to charge school devices as a precaution."

— Ross Reily, Clarion Ledger

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Tornado watch issued for Central Mississippi, Jackson area