Winter Storm Fern Freezes Quitman County Bridges; MDOT Urges Emergency Travel

Bridges and low-water crossings in Quitman County iced over during Winter Storm Fern, making travel hazardous and prompting the Mississippi Department of Transportation to advise emergency travel only. The storm produced cold, wet conditions across northern Mississippi that left elevated bridge surfaces especially prone to freezing, and state and local crews focused treatment on known trouble spots.

MDOT crews treated bridges and locations with recurring black ice after the worst of the precipitation passed on January 24, 2026. County road crews also worked to clear and salt critical crossings, concentrating on connectors between Marks and nearby communities and on low-clearance county bridges that often cool faster than surrounding roadways. Those elevated surfaces can form a slick film of ice even when adjacent pavement looks passable, increasing risks for passenger vehicles, school buses, and light trucks.

The advisory to restrict travel to emergencies affected residents who commute for work, access medical care, or travel for essential errands. Quitman County officials urged patience and caution as crews assessed conditions, and local agencies flagged the potential for lingering black ice during overnight temperatures. Road conditions created delays and forced drivers to reroute to lower-traffic county roads where conditions were monitored more closely.

For local businesses and services, the freeze interrupted deliveries and could affect openings in the days after the storm while crews continued anti-icing measures. Farmers and others who rely on county roads for moving equipment faced heightened risk during hours when bridges were untreated or when temperatures dropped rapidly after sunset. Drivers should assume bridges and shaded stretches may be slippery even when other pavement appears dry.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation and Quitman County road crews continued to monitor temperatures and road surface conditions as they applied de-icing materials to bridges and repeat trouble areas. Residents are advised to delay nonessential travel, allow extra stopping distance, and keep emergency supplies in vehicles if travel is unavoidable. Local agencies plan to update conditions through official channels and will reclassify restrictions as bridges and roads return to safe conditions.

Winter Storm Fern underscored how quickly bridge decks can become hazards in rural counties where crossing points are limited. For Quitman County residents, that means planning around possible travel interruptions in the short term and recognizing that bridges often require extra attention during rapid freeze events. Expect continued treatment and monitoring in the coming days and check official MDOT and county alerts before heading out.