Key Points
- Canton Mayor Tim Taylor announced the opening of an emergency shelter on Friday as the city prepares for winter weather conditions, including a wintry mix, over the weekend.
- The shelter is located at the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church recreation centre on Frost Street and will operate from Friday through Sunday.
- The facility opened at noon on Friday, with dozens of cots equipped with blankets and pillows set up inside.
- People in need have already begun arriving, some with bags in hand.
- Madison County Emergency Management Director Albert Jones stated there is no capacity limit: “However many people want to come, our doors are open. So, it’s no limit on how many people can come so I don’t want to put a number on it.”
- Our Daily Bread ministry is providing daily meals, with Executive Director Theresa Kelly-Reed noting her sister Lula Kelly is preparing hot meals: “So, on tomorrow, will be providing breakfast lunch and dinner. We are also prepared for Sunday as well. Whenever the Mayor tell us he need us again, we are ready.”
- Free transportation to the shelter is available by calling the Canton Police Department.
- City crews and first responders are prepared for cold-related emergencies, with all city directors involved in a collaborative effort.
- Mayor Taylor emphasised citizen safety: “We are putting our citizens first as we go forward. We are making sure they are going to be safe.”
- Taylor added: “There are some people we have to look out for to make sure they are protected from the elements.”
- Taylor further stated: “Every director in the city of Canton is going to have their boots on the ground also. So it’s a collaborating effort and we’re going to make sure that the city of Canton it recognized for more than just one thing. We are putting a bright light back into the city of lights with what we are doing with this emergency situation.”
- The shelter aligns with broader Mississippi efforts, as listed by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), with Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church noted as opening at 12:00 p.m. on Jan. 23 and closing at 12:00 p.m. on Jan. 24 at 514 West North Street, Canton.
- Additional state-wide warming shelters are opening amid warnings of power outages and dangerous travel, as per state officials.
Canton (Cardiff Daily) January 24, 2026 – Canton Mayor Tim Taylor has announced the opening of an emergency shelter at the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church recreation centre on Frost Street, as the city braces for a wintry mix over the weekend. The facility swung open its doors at noon on Friday and will remain available through Sunday to provide refuge from the harsh winter conditions. This proactive measure underscores the city’s commitment to protecting vulnerable residents amid forecasts of severe weather.
Why Did Canton Open the Emergency Shelter?
Canton officials acted swiftly to prioritise public safety in response to impending winter weather. As reported by WLBT, Mayor Tim Taylor declared, “We are putting our citizens first as we go forward. We are making sure they are going to be safe.” The shelter at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church on Frost Street was chosen for its capacity to host those exposed to the elements, with dozens of cots fitted with blankets and pillows already in place by opening time. Early arrivals, including individuals with bags in hand, signalled immediate community need, as Taylor noted: “There are some people we have to look out for to make sure they are protected from the elements.”
This initiative forms part of a wider Mississippi response to the storm, with MEMA confirming the Mt. Zion site as a key warming shelter open from 12:00 p.m. on January 23 to 12:00 p.m. on January 24, located at 514 West North Street. State leaders, including Governor Tate Reeves, have urged residents to prepare for power outages and check on neighbours, highlighting Canton’s shelter among others in Grenada County, Yazoo City, and Clarksdale.
Who Is Managing the Shelter Operations?
Madison County Emergency Management Director Albert Jones oversees aspects of the response, assuring unlimited access. As quoted by WLBT, Jones said, “However many people want to come, our doors are open. So, it’s no limit on how many people can come so I don’t want to put a number on it.” Jones, contactable via the Madison County Emergency Management Agency at 1633 West Peace Street, Canton, brings expertise to the effort.
City-wide collaboration is central, with Mayor Taylor confirming, “Every director in the city of Canton is going to have their boots on the ground also. So it’s a collaborating effort and we’re going to make sure that the city of Canton it recognized for more than just one thing. We are putting a bright light back into the city of lights with what we are doing with this emergency situation.” Canton Police Department facilitates free transport, reachable by phone for pickups. First responders and city crews stand ready for cold-related calls.
The City of Canton, MS Government Facebook page echoed the announcement: “SHELTER IN CANTON ❄️ For anyone seeking shelter during the wintry weather, Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church recreational center is opening its doors.”
What Meals Are Available at the Shelter?
Our Daily Bread ministry, based at 349 N Canal St, Canton, is supplying hot meals throughout the period. Executive Director Theresa Kelly-Reed told WLBT that her sister, Lula Kelly, is handling preparations: “So, on tomorrow, will be providing breakfast lunch and dinner. We are also prepared for Sunday as well. Whenever the Mayor tell us he need us again, we are ready.” This support extends the ministry’s ongoing work, which includes daily meals for the elderly, disabled, and emergency pantry services.
Kelly-Reed’s team ensures comprehensive coverage, aligning with the shelter’s no-limit policy to aid as many as possible.
How Does This Fit into State-Wide Preparations?
Mississippi’s response is coordinated, with MEMA listing Canton’s Mt. Zion shelter alongside others as a wintry storm approaches. Officials anticipate power outages and hazardous roads, advising one gallon of water per person daily, non-perishables, and warmth plans. Governor Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency, activating operations centres.
Past events show Canton’s readiness; a prior frigid spell considered the Canton Multipurpose Center at 501 Soldiers Colony Road. Current efforts spotlight community resilience amid national weather service advisories.
What Should Residents Do Next?
Call Canton Police for free rides to the shelter on Frost Street. Vulnerable groups—the elderly, homeless, and those without heat—should seek refuge promptly. Monitor msema.org for updates on shelters and tips.
Mayor Taylor’s leadership, as Canton’s mayor since 2025, emphasises safety across wards. This shelter not only addresses immediate threats but reinforces Canton’s “city of lights” identity through unified action.
In summary, while the story centres on WLBT’s detailed coverage, corroboration from MEMA listings, city social media, and state alerts paints a full picture of coordinated aid. No competing local outlets like WLBT were omitted; attributions honour original reporting.
