A historic ice storm left nearly 79,000 Mississippians without power, caused widespread structural damage and resulted in 16 reported storm-related deaths. Shelters and volunteer centers have filled as the state mobilized the National Guard and prepared a federal disaster request. Utilities say many customers have been restored but outages persist, and a new Arctic blast could bring overnight lows near 10°F, increasing risks for those without heat.
Mississippi Battles Widespread Outages and Destruction as Another Arctic Blast Approaches
Thousands of linemen, some from out of state, are working to restore power in Mississippi. (Bruce Newman / AP)(Bruce Newman)
Communities across Mississippi remain reeling after a historic ice storm left tens of thousands without power, shredded roofs and toppled trees, and forced many residents into shelters or even their cars to keep warm. With a fresh surge of Arctic air forecast to push temperatures into the single digits overnight, state officials and volunteers are racing to protect vulnerable residents.
Terri Griffith, left, and her friend, Mary Ward, shovel ice in Bellevue, Tenn. Thousands of customers in the Nashville area remain without power. (Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean via Imagn)(Mark Zaleski)
Widespread Damage, Growing Danger
The storm knocked out electricity to large swaths of the state, damaged homes and infrastructure, and clogged roads with ice-laden tree limbs. Rolling Fork — still recovering from a deadly EF-4 tornado nearly three years ago — reported severe structural damage that officials compared to a tornado.
The University of Mississippi will remain closed through Feb. 8. (Bruce Newman / AP)(Bruce Newman)
“The damage from this ice storm is just as traumatic as what we faced during the tornado,” Rolling Fork Mayor Eldridge Walker said.
Human Toll and Immediate Risks
State officials reported 16 storm-related deaths, including a Lafayette County resident who fell while refilling a generator and three men in Tate County who were found after a house fire that may have been sparked by a space heater. Emergency managers warned that the coming cold could increase the risk of frostbite and hypothermia for people without heat.
A worker clears a street of debris and ice in Oxford, Miss. (Bruce Newman / AP)(Bruce Newman)
Power Restoration and Ongoing Outages
Roughly 79,000 Mississippians remained without power as of Friday, according to PowerOutage.us. Major utility Entergy said it had restored power to about 75% of affected customers but cautioned that some homes might not be re-energized until Sunday evening. Smaller cooperatives, such as the Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association, warned that restoration timelines were still uncertain.
Crews work on restoring power in Bellevue, Tenn., on Tuesday. (Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean via Imagn)(Mark Zaleski)
Response: Shelters, Volunteers and the National Guard
Governors and local officials urged residents who lack safe heating to move into shelters established across the state. In Batesville, a 5,000-square-foot warehouse opened by Jonathan and Shea Garner has become a critical warming center, housing roughly 70 people near capacity. Volunteers, churches and groups such as the Cajun Navy have been serving hot meals and delivering supplies.
The winter storm wreaked havoc on trees in Nashville, Tenn. (Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean)(Mark Zaleski)
The National Guard has been mobilized in Mississippi and neighboring Tennessee to assist with rescues, road clearance and logistics, and the state is preparing a major disaster declaration request to the White House.
Drivers in Tennessee and neighboring Mississippi have faced perilous treks. A tractor trailer northbound on Interstate 65 lost control around the Interstate 440 split on the icy roadway in Nashville, Tenn. (Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean via Imagn)(Mark Zaleski)
Community Scenes
In Oxford, the University of Mississippi closed through Feb. 8 and residents described the unnerving sound of falling, ice-laden trees. Some homeowners are using generators to keep elderly relatives warm, while others lack that option. In Batesville and other towns, local leaders described downed power poles, dangerous travel conditions and long lines of stranded commercial vehicles on Interstate 55 earlier in the week.
At the Garner shelter, volunteers and a local church supply hot meals, and volunteers like Ryan Celestine check on elderly and medically vulnerable residents each morning while starting additional heaters to keep everyone warm.
Outlook
National Weather Service meteorologist Zack Taylor warned that nighttime lows from Memphis to Jackson could dip near 10°F, with daytime highs in the low to mid-20s — unusually cold for the region and dangerous for those without reliable heat. Officials urged caution around generators, space heaters and other improvised heating sources and reiterated the importance of moving to shelters if possible.
This article is based on reporting originally published on NBCNews.com and local official statements.
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