Winter Storm Fern has claimed 85 lives nationwide, with Mississippi reporting 23 fatalities and widespread power outages. Governor Tate Reeves and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem visited Tupelo to assess recovery efforts and praised FEMA's integration with state emergency teams. Noem highlighted pre-disaster block grants as a way to speed state-led recovery and reduce bureaucracy. Forecasters warn a possible polar-vortex disruption in February that could bring another surge of Arctic air to the eastern U.S.
Winter Storm Fern: 85 Dead Nationwide — Noem and Gov. Reeves Coordinate Mississippi Recovery
Sec. Noem met with Gov. Reeves during a roundtable at an event in Tupelo, MS.(Fox News)
The national death toll from Winter Storm Fern has risen to 85, with Mississippi among the hardest-hit states. Officials report 23 fatalities in Mississippi and tens of thousands of residents still without power as crews continue recovery efforts.
Federal and State Officials Assess Recovery
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited a Mississippi National Guard facility in Tupelo to review response operations and support coordination between federal and state teams.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, left, listens to Matt Payne, Director of Response at FEMA, as the agency is making preparations for a winter storm.
Tate Reeves: "There's no doubt that Mississippi got hit hard in this ice storm and ice is unlike anything we've ever seen before. We appreciate that these disasters are state-managed, locally executed, and federally supported."
Reeves praised the integration of FEMA personnel with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), saying federal assets have been delivered when requested. Noem also commended the National Weather Service and NOAA for accurate forecasting that allowed officials to position generators and personnel ahead of the worst conditions.
Policy and Preparedness
Noem used the visit to highlight disaster-response changes she supports, including a pre-disaster block grant model that disperses funds to states in advance so they can hire contractors and deploy resources quickly. Both Noem and former President Donald Trump have previously criticized FEMA; Noem has said she wants to "get rid of FEMA as it is today" and pushed for reducing paperwork and red tape in disaster response.
People walk through near-whiteout conditions during a winter storm on Jan. 25, 2026, in Louisville, Kentucky. The storm brought extreme cold, snow and ice across the state and was linked to multiple weather-related deaths.
Under the block grant approach, money and some personnel can be pre-deployed to states in anticipation of a major storm, giving local officials more control over contractor selection and recovery priorities.
Outlook and Ongoing Risks
Cities and towns across the country continue to contend with storm damage and cold conditions. Forecasters at FOX Weather warn that a major disruption to the polar vortex could occur in February, potentially allowing additional Arctic air to push into the eastern United States and prolong cold, hazardous conditions for millions.
What residents should know: Recovery and power-restoration timelines vary by region; affected residents should follow local emergency guidance and watch for updates from MEMA, FEMA, and their utility providers.
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