NATCHEZ — Meteorologists with the National Weather Service predict that through the weekend the Miss-Lou will be seeing colder weather than it has in a while.

And with the news that temperatures may drop steadily into the single digits throughout the state of Mississippi until the end of the week, Gov. Haley Barbour issued a state of emergency.

“As far as outbreaks go, it could be the coldest outbreak we’ve had since 1996,” NWS meteorologist Eric Carpenter said.

Carpenter said based on the weather service’s projections, residents of Mississippi and the Miss-Lou can expect to see a day of rain and possible sleet up until 3 p.m. today.

“And once the rain starts to end in the afternoon, it could change into a little bit of light snow before ending,” Carpenter said.

Tonight’s temperature is expected to drop down to 24 degrees with Friday’s low nearing or in the teens.

“Highs will struggle to reach the freezing mark on Friday and Saturday,” Carpenter said.

Natchez Fire Chief Oliver Stewart said one of the best things people with chimneys can do to stay warm without causing house fires is have their chimneys cleaned, maintained and encased with a screen.

Stewart also said it’s important to practice smart usage of the electrical devices such as space and electrical heaters.

“Keep any material that will burn away from (space heaters),” Stewart said. “And with an electric heater, don’t use an extension cord to plug it in. They are not designed for that. It needs to be on a circuit by itself.”

Vidalia Fire Chief Jack Langston said for residents using their kitchen oven to warm their house, caution needs to also be taken.

“Be extremely careful if you are using the stove for heating,” Langston said. “If there is anyone who needs any type of help or anything checked, call the fire department and we’ll be glad to check it for you.”

With temperatures dropping and wind chills projected to be in the single digits, Miss-Lou residents are being reminded to take care of not only themselves, but of each other, including plants and animals, too.

“People with elderly neighbors need to check on them,” Adams County Emergency Director Stan Owens said. “Also, with your low income neighbors, you need to check on them and make sure they have a warm place to stay.”

For students at Morgantown Elementary School, guidance counselor Mary Washington said many of her students need help staying warm at school.

“We have kids come in every day needing jackets,” Washington said. “I haven’t talked to any of the other schools, but I’m pretty sure they are (in need of jackets) too.”

Washington said jackets can be brought to the school to be donated to students who need help staying warm.

“Some of them have jackets, but they are not uniform jackets. We really need some navy blue or white or khaki colored jackets,” Washington said.

For Catholic Charities’ Natchez office, jackets aren’t the only supply needed during this state of emergency.

Director Martha Mitternight said the organization doesn’t have the funds to help people who need it.

“We have had many requests for help with paying for utility bills,” Mitternight said. “People are calling and walking in who are homeless who have no place to stay.

“Unfortunately, I do not have any funding currently for utility assistance.”

Mitternight said with no funding in Catholic Charities’ budget and no homeless shelter in Natchez, many will face this week’s elements with no assistance.

However, Mitternight said it wasn’t too late to help supply a safe place for those who need it.

“It’s been my experience that whenever the community here is aware of a special need, they have been responsive to that need.”