Winter Storm Fern passed through Mississippi a week ago, but its lingering effects continue to take a toll, especially in the Delta and northern regions of the state.
In a Sunday afternoon update, Gov. Tate Reeves confirmed that the storm-related death count in Mississippi has climbed to 23, up two from the 21 total that was being reported on Saturday. The most recent losses of life occurred in Panola County, with the identities of the deceased not being released at this time.
“Please pray for the family and friends of those lost,” Reeves wrote on social media.
Previously reported deaths connected to the storm happened in Adams, Alcorn, Benton, Hinds, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leflore, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union, Warren, and Yazoo counties.
Outage update
Reeves noted that utility crews continue to make progress in restoring power where widespread outages occurred.
As of early Sunday afternoon, there were just under 56,000 outages statewide, down from a peak of 180,000-plus after the storm moved out last Sunday. The number is also roughly 4,000 less than Saturday afternoon’s count of approximately 60,000 residents and businesses without power.
The most outages were being seen in Lafayette (9,998), Panola (8,760), Tippah (7,093), and Tishomingo (5,912) as of early Sunday afternoon.
Assistance continues
As 14 counties were still reporting ice as of Sunday morning and many more suffering from the devastation left behind by Fern, the state is working to get more assistance to those in need. According to Reeves, the state is continuing to deploy requested personnel and resources to impacted counties. To date, 275,832 bottles of water, 93,412 meals, 4,739 blankets, 1,990 cots, and 4,322 tarps have been divvied out.
The 650 Mississippi National Guard soldiers on an extended deployment to aid in storm restoration efforts have been working on road clearances, refueling missions, distributing goods, and welfare checks. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks is assisting with welfare checks and emergency calls in Alcorn and Tippah counties.
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.
Sunday forecast
Temperatures have climbed to above-freezing in Mississippi but will drop once again on Sunday night, going into Monday. The National Weather Service forecasts below-freezing temperatures statewide, with north Mississippi and the northwest portion of the Delta to be at risk of extremely cold conditions before things warm up during the daytime on Monday.
There are 93 warming centers and shelters open across 51 counties for those who are in need this weekend. The current count shows 1,220 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 staying home and avoiding the frigid conditions if at all possible.