Though Winter Storm Fern passed through Mississippi nearly a week ago, its effects are still being felt in the northern and Delta regions of the state.
Gov. Tate Reeves announced Saturday evening that five additional deaths linked to the storm have been confirmed, bringing the death toll to 21. The latest losses of life occurred in Yazoo, Lafayette, Benton, and Panola counties. The identities of the deceased have not been released.
“Our state is praying for the friends and family of those lost,” Reeves wrote on social media.
Previously reported deaths connected to the storm happened in Adams, Alcorn, Hinds, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leflore, Panola, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union, and Warren counties.
Outage update
Reeves also noted in the update that utility crews have made additional progress this weekend in restoring power to areas that experienced widespread outages.
Currently, there are just under 60,000 outages being statewide, down from a peak of 180,000-plus after the storm moved out on Sunday. The number is also roughly 19,000 less than Friday afternoon’s count of approximately 79,000 residents and businesses without power.
As of Saturday night, the most outages were being seen in Lafayette (10,213), Panola (9,135), Tippah (7,215), and Tishomingo (6,068).
Assistance continues
As 14 counties were still reporting ice as of Saturday morning and many more suffering from the devastation left behind by Fern, the state is working to get more assistance to those in need. 41 counties have submitted requests for assistance, and 51 of the state’s 82 counties are reporting some sort of damage, Reeves said.
The governor announced a seven-day extension of the Mississippi National Guard, which currently has 650 soldiers helping clear roadways in Tippah, Alcorn, Panola, and Tate counties and aid in water assistance in Union County, among other missions.
Other agencies that are aiding with response efforts include the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Mississippi Department of Transportation, Mississippi State Department of Health, and Mississippi Forestry Commission. FEMA is also on the ground after sending $3.75 million in “rapid emergency funding” for generators, debris removal, and other urgent needs.
Reeves highlighted a list of volunteer groups who have also stepped up to assist: Eight Days of Hope, Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse, Cajun Navy, MS Baptist Disaster Relief Group, Mercy Chefs, World Central Kitchen, God’s Pit Crew, Christ in Action, Team Rubicon, Oak Park Church (Mobile, Ala.), Baby2Baby, MS Urban League, Pine Lake Church, Operation BBQ, and others.
Those looking to help Mississippians impacted by Winter Storm Fern can do so by clicking here.
Cold Saturday night ahead
Saturday night and into Sunday is expected to include “dangerously cold” temperatures across the state, per the National Weather Service, after another front entered Mississippi on Friday night.
There are 84 warming centers and shelters open across 49 counties for those who are in need this weekend. Current count shows 1,200 residents at the locations. A list with addresses can be found here.
For those traveling, the Mississippi Department of Transportation encourages checking its traffic cameras before using the roadways, or stay home and avoid the frigid conditions if at all possible.