Early closings due to severe weather threats on Thursday

Due to the threat of possible tornadoes on Thursday, February 17, multiple businesses and schools in Starkville and surrounding areas either closed their doors by noon or didn't open their doors at all.

The National Weather Service placed Starkville and related areas in North Mississippi under an enhanced severe weather advisory for Thursday afternoon that included the possibility of tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, damaging hail, and high winds.

Accordingly, Mississippi State University transitioned to remote operations at 12:30 p.m., all schools in the Starkville Oktibbeha School District and Starkville Academy dismissed at noon.

Over in Webster County, the Webster County School District did not open their doors for class on Thursday and all afternoon activities were canceled. The case was the same for the Choctaw County and West Point Consolidated School Districts.

With the weather fluctuating as it is and the temperature unusually high for winter, bad weather is almost always expected. There were a few thunderstorms that came through the area yesterday along with a tornado watch, so it is important to be prepared for any type of bad weather.

It is important to have a plan for what to do and to know what to do to remain safe. When a tornado watch is issued, it means that the conditions for a tornado are present but one has not been spotted. Only when a tornado warning has been issued has one been spotted either in person or on radar.

During a tornado, damaging winds can knock down branches, trees, and even mobile homes.

In Oktibbeha County, as soon as a tornado watch has been issued, the shelter on Lynn Lane opens to all of those who may need shelter. It will be open to all for the duration of the watch.