MEMPHIS, Tenn. —
Roads across the Mid-South are still covered in snow, ice and slush. That, along with the possibility of rain or freezing rain Thursday has the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) concerned about the roads.
These weather conditions, including the below freezing temperatures, could form black ice.
TDOT Region 4 Community Relations Officer Nichole Lawrence said they have been plowing the roads since Sunday, and they still have a long way to go.
"We still have a lot of work to do in the Memphis, Shelby County area and all across West Tennessee. You know our first priority is those interstates and then we move to out state highways and those secondary roads that feed into the interstate and that's where we're concentrating a lot of our efforts today,” said Lawrence.
When it comes to preparation for Thursday, Jan. 18, Lawrence said along with salting the roads, there will be chainsaws and other supplies on stand-by as well in case of fallen trees or branches.
MDOT Public Information Officer David Kenney said almost all its roads in the Mid-South have at least one lane open. Their focus ahead of Thursday was treating the roads.
"Our crews have been out today salting and slagging the bridges and inclines. Hopefully they can get out and get a lot of process today. Maybe even dry off some of those roads and pretreat them before this next system comes in,” said Kenney.
ABC24 reached out to the City of Memphis for an update on how the Public Works Division is preparing for the winter weather, and how many roads still need to be plowed. We were unable to get an interview.