Streets around southwest Mississippi have been virtual ice skating rinks since Monday night, and as motorists struggle to cope with slick conditions, area tow truck companies have been overwhelmed.
“In southwest Mississippi, we’re not accustomed to weather like this — this isn’t snow, this is total ice. It’s different,” said Marti Lewis, owner of Lewis Wrecker. “In all my years, I don’t remember the roads being like this. It’s definitely been a learning experience.
“We’ve had snow off and on for years, and that’s really no big deal. This was solid ice. You’re talking about an inch of solid ice over the pavement. I don’t think people realize the difference.”
Some towing companies, including Lewis Wrecker, were unable to assist drivers throughout the storm because conditions had become too dangerous and unstable for their equipment. Many operators were unable to keep their tow trucks grounded and were in danger of being stuck by other out-of-control vehicles.
“The problem was a lot of the time when you would get to where you needed to be, you couldn’t hold the truck still and other motorists were losing control,” Lewis said. “I had several guys almost get hit by other cars losing control. You can’t just keep putting your men in harm’s way when it gets to a certain point. Wreckers are vehicles, too. They wreck like anything else.”
Lewis Wrecker was forced to close Tuesday night and briefly reopened Wednesday, but Lewis said he has multiple trips lined up today to retrieve stranded cars. Before the business closed, he said the company received at least 30 ice-related calls and responded to as many as they could before the roads were too treacherous for the trucks.
While some people, including emergency responders and hospital employees, had to trek to work through the ice, Lewis said he discovered a number of people attempted to drive Wednesday afternoon once the sun came up. But drivers soon realized the roads were still very icy.
“It’s surprising how many people think they’re in control, but they’re not,” he said. “Not only are they putting themselves in danger, but also the other people on the sides of the roads. It’s one thing when people have to go to work, but it’s another to just run to town.
“If this ever happens again, I think people will give a little more forethought before driving unnecessarily.”
