MT. VERNON — Another blast of bitter winter cold is set to overtake southern Illinois tonight, and local officials are reminding residents to make sure the pipes in their home don’t freeze with the winter chill.

Mt. Vernon Public Works Director Matt Fauss says there are multiple ways to keep your pipes from freezing, but the biggest key is to make sure the pipes have some access to heat or insulation.

Temperatures could reach the single digits overnight Thursday into Friday.