EMERGENCY HELP DURING THE STORM
If you lose power for an extended period, experience any damage that needs immediate attention, or find yourself in need of help or supplies, please reach out to your GCC Small Group Leader. We will do our best to coordinate assistance for you.
Olive Branch, Southaven, and Hernando will have warming centers open:
The City of Olive Branch will be opening the Community Storm Shelter as a warming center beginning at 6pm Friday, January 23. This shelter is located on the campus of Olive Branch Elementary at 9549 Pigeon Roost Road.
This post will be updated as additional warming centers within the community are opened. You can also visit www.obms.us/winterstorm2026 for more information.
ADDITIONAL WARMING CENTERS:
*HERNANDO: The City of Hernando will open the Gale Community Center located at 2611 Elm at 5pm Friday
*OLIVE BRANCH: Ash's Irish Pub will be open for the Community as needed; located at 9200 Goodman Road Suite 300
*SOUTHAVEN: Southaven Community Safe Room will open at 12:00PM January 23 as a warming center to help those who are temporarily in need of a warm place to stay away from these extremely cold temperatures.
Location: 7312 Hwy 51 N Southaven, MS
MORE HELPFUL TIPS:
Charge all phones, power banks, tablets, and rechargeable lanterns. Fill vehicle gas tanks in case stations lose power. Pick up prescriptions and essential medications early.Download movies, books, and maps for offline use. Identify one warm room in the house to “camp out” if power fails. Locate water shut-off valve and breaker box now, not later.Set fridge and freezer to colder settings to hold temperature longer. Drip faucets on exterior walls when temps drop below freezing. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air circulation. Disconnect garden hoses from outdoor spigots. Cover outdoor faucets with insulated caps or towels. Know how to shut off water quickly if a pipe bursts. Fill jugs, buckets, or bathtub with water for flushing and washing. Keep 3–5 days of no-cook food: peanut butter, tuna, bread, crackers, canned meat, fruit cups. Have manual can opener available. Freeze a few water bottles to act as freezer “ice packs.” Keep a cooler ready to move fridge food outside if power is out and temps are below freezing. Gather extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm layers. If using a fireplace, confirm chimney is clear and have dry wood. Never run generators or grills inside garages or homes. Test smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors. Have at least one flashlight per person plus spare batteries. Use battery lanterns instead of candles when possible. Plan to avoid driving once freezing rain begins. Keep in the car: blanket, water, snacks, phone charger, gloves. Replace old wiper blades and top off washer fluid. Park away from large tree limbs when possible. Assume flights and travel may be disrupted for days. Unplug sensitive electronics to avoid surge damage. Keep one battery radio or weather app for updates. Use surge protectors for TVs and computers. Know where warming centers may be in your area. Have extension cords ready if using a generator outside. Keep refrigerator closed to preserve cold air. Bring pets indoors with extra food and water. Provide outdoor animals with unfrozen water sources. Add straw or blankets to outdoor shelters. Keep leashes and carriers accessible in case of evacuation. Keep a written list of medications and dosages. Store a small first-aid kit with thermometer and basic meds. Have backup batteries for medical devices. Identify a place with power you could relocate to if needed. Move vehicles away from trees or power lines. Avoid trimming trees during the storm—do it beforehand. Photograph property for insurance before conditions worsen. Do not drive unless absolutely necessary. Assume downed lines are live and dangerous. Use only safe indoor heating methods. Check on neighbors, especially elderly, by phone if possible. Report outages to utility companies rather than 911 unless it’s an emergency. Walk carefully—ice may refreeze overnight. Check pipes for leaks as temperatures rise. Throw out refrigerated food if above 40°F for more than 4 hours. Avoid DIY electrical repairs around downed lines. Be patient—restoring power after ice can take several days.