The Mississippi National Guard (MSNG) activated an additional 150 service members, bringing the total to 650 personnel, to conduct general support, fueling operations and aerial logistics packaging of food, water, medical and other needed supplies following a major winter storm that began Jan. 23.
National Guard units from Starkville were in Senatobia Friday on a reconnaissance mission to see and document damages and came by the Tate Record office seeking information and details on areas hardest hit.
The storm, named Winter Storm Fern by The Weather Channel and the National Weather Service, impacted parts of Mississippi bringing freezing rain, sleet, snow and dangerous temperatures. Significant travel and infrastructure disruptions exist and could continue into next week. Lafayette, Tishomingo, Panola, Tippah and Alcorn counties in North Mississippi being the most heavily impacted in the state.
Mississippi Guardsmen from the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, 184th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, 172nd Airlift Wing, 186th Air Refueling Wing, and other support personnel from Joint Force Headquarters (JFH), are assisting the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency with medical, fueling, and warming centers and shelter operations. MSNG-JFH State Army Aviation Office is providing aviation assets to move supplies and personnel throughout North Mississippi, and medical evacuations of patients to care centers outside the affected areas.
Since the start of our response efforts, the MSNG has transported and dispersed more than 8,578 cases of bottled water, more than 3,000 boxes of Meals-Ready-to-Eat (MREs), 8,000 gallons of bulk water, more than 25,415 gallons of fuel, 344 cots, and more than 2,726 blankets throughout our 13-county area of operations.
The Mississippi National Guard continues to stand Shoulder to Shoulder with local, state and federal agencies and will continue assisting with winter storm response until our services are no longer needed.
Reeves Provides Update On Severe Winter Weather
Reeves today announced that the state of Mississippi continues to work with county, state, federal and private sector partners to respond to the severe winter weather impacting the state.
Two more deaths have been reported – one in Alcorn County and one in Union County. This brings the total to 16 statewide including one from Leflore County. Life safety remains the top priority.
Thousands of linemen from across the country continue to make progress restoring power in Mississippi. Approximately 74,000 outages remain, down from a high of about 180,000. Two linemen were injured in Alcorn County while working to restore power. This is a terrible reminder of the dangerous conditions linemen encounter while working to restore power.
Counties continue damage assessments. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has received reports from 51 counties which indicate 251 homes, 22 businesses, and nine farms have been damaged, destroyed or affected statewide. Additionally, 20 public roads have sustained major damage. Sixty-two have sustained minor damage. Those numbers are expected to fluctuate as damage assessments continue.
Dangerously cold temperatures are expected to impact Mississippi beginning Friday evening and last through the weekend. Lows are expected to be below freezing throughout Mississippi and wind chills could be near or below zero degrees.
The state of Mississippi is prepared to respond to this weekend’s dangerously cold temperatures. Governor Reeves today announced that he has extended the Mississippi National Guard’s (MSNG) activation by another seven days. A total of 650 Soldiers are currently deployed and they will continue to offer logistical support. Additionally, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s (MDPS) Special Operations Group has also been extended through at least Feb. 4. MDPS regional units will remain on call to assist motorists and can help transport those without power to a warming center upon request. Seventy-nine warming centers are open in 44 counties.
The state of Mississippi understands that many communities may have issues with their water system due to the severe cold. MEMA has stockpiles of water available and is able to quickly deliver it to impacted communities throughout Mississippi. Also, the Mississippi State Department of Health’s (MSDH) water systems expert is fully plugged in and engaged with the state’s Emergency Operations Center. The expert will be monitoring water systems throughout the weekend. If your community is experiencing issues with its water system, please speak to your local emergency manager to request assistance.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) has opened I-55 and I-22, and traffic is moving in both directions. Per MDOT, all state-maintained roads are open. Although they are open, below freezing temperatures could make them dangerous to drive on. While MDOT will continue performing winter weather treatments to the state system throughout the weekend, please stay off the road unless it is absolutely necessary. If you have to drive, please continue to use caution. Please monitor MDOT and MDPS media alerts for the latest updates on road conditions.
The state of Mississippi continues to deploy requested personnel and resources to impacted counties. A total of 41 counties have submitted 412 requests. Yesterday alone, 96,000 bottles of water, 1,152 meals, 14,000 tarps, 976 blankets, and 288 cots were delivered to impacted counties. MSNG Chinook helicopters continue to deliver supplies. More than 119,000 pounds of supplies have been delivered by Chinook helicopters. Counties are dispersing these supplies to the public at local distribution sites.
MSDH is standing up a second Medical Needs Shelter with equipment and supplies. It will be located in Alcorn County. Fifty-five medical facility issues have been resolved.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is assisting in generator installation at critical infrastructure sites. A total of 49 generators have been installed in critical locations in impacted counties.
Yesterday, Governor Reeves signed a proclamation extending the deadline for Mississippians in impacted counties to submit ad valorem taxes to county tax collectors and delaying fines for not submitting them. Today, he announced that two counties have now submitted damage reports that they previously had not yet reported. Therefore, Governor Reeves has included those two counties in the original proclamation. Those two counties are Lee County and Issaquena County. The new deadline to pay ad valorem taxes in the impacted counties is March 3, 2026.
The state of Mississippi continues to make a lot of progress responding to the storm, however, there is still more work to be done. The state of Mississippi will not stop until that work is complete.
