Friday’s winter storm caused dozens of wrecks, and many offices across Pearl River County closed early in order to get more people off the roads.

Picayune Police Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said officers with the Police Department worked about a dozen accidents by noon Friday.

Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Shane Tucker said deputies worked more than 60 wrecks before noon that day.

Everyone is advised to stay off the roads Saturday morning as a result of the continuing freezing conditions.

Friday, offices in the city of Picayune and county offices across Pearl River County closed by noon.

Coast Electric also sent their office crews home by noon. Coast Electric Communications representative April Lollar said line crews were available to respond to any outages.

Road crews in the city of Picayune began the process of salting and sanding bridges before noon Friday in anticipation of the dangerous conditions. 

Magri said that it appeared as though ice was already accumulating on the Beech Street bridge over the Hobolochitto Creek and the bridge on Highway 43 North by 11 a.m. that day.

Extra manpower was called in to handle the increased call load at the Police Department and other area law enforcement agencies.

Sunny conditions are forecast for the weekend.