7-Hour Road Trip Through Calhoun, Chickasaw, Pontotoc, Monroe, Clay

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The largest snow accumulation in Northeast Mississippi in three years shuts down schools, sends businesses scrambling and leaves emergency responders warning everyone to stay home. WCBI Assistant News Director found it all and more during a seven-hour road trip through Chickasaw, Calhoun, Pontotoc, Clay and Monroe counties.

By 1 p.m. Wednesday, a steady dose of rain and sleet turned to snow as far west as Pittsboro, Water Valley and Grenada. Children of all ages headed outdoors to enjoy something they seldom get to see.From snowball fights to sledding and snow men, it was an afternoon of fun.

“We don’t get snow a lot here in Mississippi and so when we get out of school, it’s like our own little personal frozen wonderland,” said Rain Freeny, of Houlka, as she and friends built a snowman and had snowball fights along Highway 32.

“I think it’s too cold for us to be out here,” noted Jaden Paspon, even as she and friends played in the snow in Bruce.

“Snow ball fight whoa…” yelled Laquita Thomas as she ran off to join a neighborhood snowball battle in Bruce.

Despite days of warnings that the weather was coming, traffic was surprisingly heavy everywhere from Highway 8 across Monroe, Chickasaw and Calhoun counties and highways 9 and 15 and Highway 32 in Chickasaw and Pontotoc counties.

State and county road crews tried to get ahead of the snow and ice by salting and sanding roads early but they ultimately got outgunned by Mother Nature by mid to late afternoon.

Stretches of Highway 8 were particularly slick because the snow covered an early coating of ice.

Even with slow speeds, police and state troopers answered a number of calls, few involved serious injuries.

Those accidents even involved WCBI in a ditch on Highway 8 near Highway 45 Alternate. After some treacherous moments and two efforts by a pair Good Samaritan brothers, we continued on the road.

Most areas in Calhoun, Chickasaw and Pontotoc got about 5 inches of snow. And local police and deputies said the traffic was split between joy riders and people trying to get home from work.