As we head into another cold night, the City of Olive Branch continues to closely monitor community conditions after Winter Storm 2026. Roads remain icy and dangerous, so residents are strongly encouraged to stay home if at all possible and give crews the space they need to work safely.
Mayor Adams and City Staff would like to remind everyone to take extra precautions at home:
- keep faucets dripping to help prevent frozen pipes,
- use space heaters safely,
- keep phones charged,
- check in on neighbors, family members, and pets.
Some City services continue to be impacted by the weather. Garbage collection has been suspended for Monday. City Park, Olive Bark dog park, the track, and its walking trails remain closed for safety. The Olive Branch Airport remains closed due to snow and ice on runways. You can find full details on this at www.obms.us/winterstorm2026
Utility Outages:
In the event you experience utility outages, please contact your utility company directly. Do not reach out through social media:
• Northcentral Electric Cooperative 662-895-2151
• Entergy Mississippi 1-800-368-3749
• City of Olive Branch Public Works Gas/Water / 662-895-4111
• Atmos Energy (Gas) / (888) 286-6700
Power outages as ice meltsanticipated from the winter storm, here are some tips on how you can stay warm when the power is out:
• Close blinds or curtains to keep in some heat.
• Close off rooms to avoid wasting heat.
• Wear layers of loose- fitting, lightweight, warm clothing.
• Eat and drink. Food provides energy to warm the body. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• Stuff towels in cracks under doors to help insulate your home.
Fireplace Safety
Keep it clear: Maintain a safe zone of at least 3 feet around the fireplace—no furniture, decorations, or flammable items nearby.
Inspect and maintain: Have wood chimneys cleaned annually and gas fireplaces professionally inspected to prevent fires, leaks, or carbon monoxide issues.
Use the right materials: Burn only seasoned firewood in wood-burning fireplaces; never burn trash or treated wood. For gas fireplaces, use only manufacturer-approved components.
Practice safe operation: Always open the damper before lighting a wood fire, use a screen or glass doors, and never leave any fireplace unattended while in use.
Heater Safety
To use electric or gas-powered heaters safely, be sure to keep them 3 feet from flammable items and place them on a flat, stable surface. These should ALWAYS be plugged in directly to a wall outlet. NO EXTENSION CORDS! Properly ventilate emergency heat sources. Never leave them on unattended or while sleeping.
Generator Safety
Portable Generators produce carbon monoxide (CO2), which can kill within minutes. Only use generators outside at least 20 feet from homes, away from windows, doors, and other openings. Homes should have a working, battery-powered CO2 detector.
Portable generators
• Operate outdoors only and at least 20 feet away from doors, windows, and vents
• Only plug in appliances to the generator that you want to stay running.
• Cut off your main breaker anytime a portable generator is used
• Plugging the generator to wall outlets can create dangerous backfeed
• Store fuel in approved containers and never refuel while the generator is running or hot
• keep all connections secure and dry
Follow updates on the http://www.obms.us/winterstorm2026 page for the latest city updates or connect with us on social media. Stay indoors, stay off the roads, stay informed, and look out for one another. Again, Municipal crews and emergency services are continuing to work through Winter Storm Fern to keep the community safe. Stay safe, Olive Branch.
Warming centers remain available for anyone who needs a safe, warm place. The Olive Branch Storm Shelter, located at 9549 Pigeon Roost, is here if you need it.
Thank you to our public works, police, fire, and emergency crews who are working through these conditions, and thank you to residents for continuing to look out for one another during this storm.