The weather outside is frightful…
The AccuWeather.com forecast for the Golden Triangle this afternoon is mostly cloudy and much colder with occasional rain and a thunderstorm. In the evening, there will be occasional drizzle and breezy winds with an overnight low of 30 degrees.
With that in mind, Main Street Columbus has postponed today’s annual Wassail Fest. It will be rescheduled for Dec. 13.
Main Street Director Barbara Bigelow and the board made the decision Thursday after consulting with WCBI chief meteorologist Keith Gibson.
“In anticipation of today’s weather forecast, we elected to postpone the 10th annual Wassail Fest until next Friday, Dec. 13,” Bigelow said. “This means next weekend will truly be a Christmas weekend in downtown Columbus with Wassail Fest on Friday night and the Christmas Parade on Saturday night.”
However, Wassail at The W will still take place tonight on the MUW campus. Bigelow encouraged people to attend the event at The W.
“I would encourage you, however, to attend Wassail at The W this evening from 8 to 10 p.m. at Hogarth Student Center,” she said. “Their festivities will be held inside and they are unable to reschedule since the students will have left for the holidays. They will have Santa, carolers, a Christmas tree lighting, refreshments and the culinary students have created a gingerbread replica of the front of the campus so it is sure to be a fun-filled, holiday evening.”
Due to the weather, Main Street Columbus opted to light the community Christmas tree on Thursday night. The tree-lighting had been planned to coincide with Wassail Fest activities tonight.
In a news release, 4-County Electric Power Association warned customers to be prepared for the colder, wet weather.
“With the potential for freezing rain and a wintry mix of weather this weekend and early next week, 4-County Electric Power Association is encouraging its members to be prepared. The cooperative is prepared to implement its Emergency Response Plan if significant accumulations of snow, sleet and ice hit the area,” the release stated.
Anthony Miller, 4-County manager of operations, said having an emergency plan in place is key.
“Enact your own emergency response plan measures,” Miller said in the release. “If you don’t have an emergency response plan, making one in advance of an event is a good idea. Being prepared is a key component in a successful emergency response plan.
“Like everyone, we’re keeping a close eye on the weather reports. We’ll be ready in case something happens. And, if it does, we’re prepared to get assistance from fellow cooperatives through our emergency response agreement through the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi.”
Miller said precautions should include stocking up on non-perishable food, medicine, baby supplies and pet food, purchasing bottled water, gathering flashlights, battery-operated radios, extension cords and extra batteries, keeping extra cash on hand and monitoring official weather bulletins.
The power association also advises customers not to connect a generator directly to the home’s electrical system and warned customers to stay away from downed power lines.
In the event of a power outage, customers can call 4-County at 1-800-431-1544.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.