After meetings with state and local officials, Lamar County Emergency Management Coordinator Quincy Blount is “hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.”
“We expect Paris to be hit early Thursday morning and the National Weather Service is predicting between a quarter to half an inch of ice for the area,” said Blount.
Blount said that with the strong winds expected with this storm, even a quarter inch of ice on tree limbs and powerlines will cause breakage and power outages.
Temperatures will begin to drop Wednesday afternoon with freezing rain predicted overnight. On Thursday, freezing rain, sleet, and snow is possible before noon with temperatures falling to below freezing (26) by 10 a.m. Wind gusts could as high as 25 mph.
A chance of flurries with temperatures below freezing continue into the night Thursday with a high of 32 degrees expected on Friday.
However, the icy conditions are expected to stick around till Saturday in our area.
An overnight warming center at the Lamar Avenue Church of Christ will be open from Wednesday at 6 p.m. until Friday at 12, noon.
Horizon House, the Salvation Army and City Square will also be open during normal hours as warming stations.
Volunteers at the overnight center are needed. Please call James Hanley at 903-517-8794.
–
Like and follow MyParisTexas.com on Facebook – Reporting local news in Paris and Lamar County, Texas.
