Lowndes County Emergency Management Agency

05/13/2026

There is NO BURN BAN in Lowndes County!!

STAY SAFE!!

05/06/2026

ALERT – ALERT - ALERT!!!
BE READY FOR SEVERE WEATHER - MAKE A PLAN
Wednesday, May 6, 2026. 4pm to 1am midnight

There is a potential for severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds up to 70 mph, quarter to golf ball-sized hail, and tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

Remember, tornadoes can develop rapidly with little to no advance warning, sometimes striking quickly and unexpectedly, making it difficult to issue timely warnings. Even if you don't receive a warning, it's crucial to be prepared and have a plan in place.

Plan with your family and prepare now before severe weather strikes!
Monitor and check the weather forecast
Have multiple ways to receive warnings, NOAA Weather radio, local television, weather apps, social media and tornado sirens.
Charge your cell phone, turn off do not disturb if you are relying on phone for alerts
MAKE SURE RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES ARE FULLY CHARGED FOR BACK-UP LIFE SUPPORT EQUIPMENT IN CASE OF POWER OUTAGE!!
Identify the safest place in your home without windows or outside walls to take shelter
Make sure to have an extra set of clothes and a pair of sturdy shoes/socks in your safe place
Know the location of the nearest Tornado Shelter: (Shelters will only be opened when deemed necessary)

Caledonia Elementary School
9509 Wolfe Road, Caledonia, MS

Lowndes County Career Technology Center
1085 Lehmberg Road, Columbus

New Hope High School
2920 New Hope Road, Columbus

Artesia Community Center
46 South Front Street, Artesia

Crawford Community Center
783 Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Crawford

Plum Grove Community Center
54 West Minnie Vaughn Road, Columbus

05/06/2026

05/06/2026

05/06/2026

Here's an updated look at the severe weather threat across the area this afternoon into tonight, as of 12:01 PM CDT.

04/28/2026

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Tornado Watch in effect from 1:55 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Severe weather outbreak this afternoon and evening. All modes of severe weather possible. Damaging winds being the highest threat.
Tornadoes will be possible, and a strong tornado can't be ruled out!

Severe thunderstorms are expected to move across the area this afternoon through tonight, (3 pm – 10 pm) but note that isolated severe storms are possible ahead of this main line. The primary risk will be damaging winds with gusts as high as 70 mph possible. There exists potential for a widespread damaging wind event. Large hail between quarter and golf ball size will also be possible across the area.
Locally heavy rainfall will be possible, 1 to 2 inches of rain. Higher amounts of 3 to 6 inches in a short amount of time will be possible with training, slow moving storms. These areas could experience localized flash flooding, particularly in low lying and urban areas.

Remember tornadoes can develop rapidly with little to no advance warning, sometimes striking quickly and unexpectedly making it difficult to issue timely warnings.
Even if you don't receive a warning, it's crucial to be prepared and have a plan in place.
Plan with your family and prepare now before severe weather strikes
Have multiple ways to receive warnings, NOAA Weather radio, local television, weather apps, social media and tornado sirens
Charge your cell phone, turn off do not disturb if you are relying on phone for alerts!
Make sure rechargeable batteries are fully charged for back-up life support equipment in case of power outage.
Identify the safest place in your home or business without windows or exterior walls to take shelter.
Make sure to have an extra set of clothes and a pair of sturdy shoes/socks in your safe place.
Know the location of the nearest Lowndes County Tornado Shelters:


Caledonia Elementary School
9509 Wolfe Road, Caledonia, MS

Lowndes County Career Technology Center
1085 Lehmberg Road, Columbus

New Hope High School
2920 New Hope Road, Columbus

Artesia Community Center
46 South Front Street Artesia

Crawford Community
783 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Crawford

Plum Grove Community Center
54 West Minnie Vaughn Road Columbus

04/28/2026

❗️Timing update for severe storms across the area this afternoon through tonight ❗️

Risks include widespread damaging winds with gusts to 70 mph, tornadoes, and large hail up to golf ball size. A strong tornado can't be ruled out.

04/10/2026

911 Dispatcher Week 2026

LOWNDES COUNTY CELEBRATES
NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK
APRIL 12-18, 2026

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is held annually during the second week of April to honor thousands of men and women who respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving assistance to the world’s citizens.

On April 6, 2026, The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors passed a Proclamation recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week April 12-18, 2026.

There are several activities planned throughout the week to celebrate and thank the Dispatchers for their dedication and commitment in serving the public.

As Director of Lowndes County Emergency E911, I can attest to the professionalism and dedication exhibited by our local dispatchers, sometimes under the most adverse circumstances. They dispatch the Law Enforcement radios, Fire Department radios, and send EMS all while still answering the phone calls that come into the Communication Center.

The dispatchers work 12-hour shifts, miss holidays and special events with their families and friends because they have dedicated their lives in assisting others in their time of need.

They arrive to work, plug in, put their headset on, and confidently answer, “911 what’s your emergency?”

Lowndes County 911 dispatchers are our true Unsung Heroes!!!

04/02/2026

Showers and storms are expected to move across the area late Saturday into Saturday night. A few of the most intense storms may contain marginally severe wind gusts and hail.

03/31/2026

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