Lafayette County, one of the Mississippi counties hit hardest by Winter Storm Fern, reported its first weather-related fatality on Thursday morning.
According to the Lafayette County Emergency Management Agency, paramedics responded on Wednesday afternoon to a call involving an individual who had fallen while trying to refill a generator. The individual was airlifted to Regional One Health in Memphis for treatment, but succumbed to their injuries on Thursday morning.
The name of the deceased is not being released at this time “out of respect for the family,” Lafayette County EMA said in a news release.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends during this incredibly difficult time,” Lafayette EMA director Steve Quarles said. “As we continue to deal with storm impacts, we’re asking everyone to slow down and use extreme caution around their homes and property. Conditions remain hazardous, and simple tasks can become dangerous when surfaces are icy, visibility is low, or you’re fatigued. Please do everything you can to stay safe.”
Lafayette County is one of 28 counties still reporting ice as of Thursday morning, four days after Fern moved out of the area. Ice is expected to remain in much of north Mississippi and portions of the Delta as another cold front is forecast to hit Friday and last through the weekend. Below-freezing temperatures are expected until at least Monday, but no precipitation is currently in the forecast.
Gov. Tate Reeves has confirmed 10 deaths across Adams, Alcorn, Hinds, Jefferson, Leflore, Tate, Tishomingo, and Warren counties. The Mississippi Insurance Department confirmed three fire-related deaths in Adams, Jefferson, and Lincoln counties, in which residents were using space heaters and gas stoves to stay warm, although it is unclear if their full report is included in the governor’s count. With the addition of the fatality in Lafayette County, the state’s current weather-related death toll is at least 12.