Nearly $5 million in federal funding is being doled out to support recovery projects in Mississippi related to Winter Storm Fern and a March 2025 tornado outbreak.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved more than $4.7 million in funding to support 11 Mississippi projects linked to the weather events. Notably, New Albany Light, Gas and Water is receiving $1.3 million for emergency protective measures and debris removal efforts, while the Pearl River Valley Electrical Power Association is getting $1 million to repair utilities.
Other projects receiving a large sum of money include:
- $631,000 to the University of Mississippi for debris removal efforts
- $541,000 to Benton County for debris removal efforts and emergency protective measures
- $366,000 to Corinth Gas and Water Department for emergency protective measures
- $343,000 to Holly Springs Utility Department for emergency protective measures
- $232,500 to Itawamba County to repair damaged roads and bridges
- $106,000 to the village of Glendora for debris removal efforts
- $105,700 to Winona for emergency protective measures
The federal government is reimbursing these recovery costs at no less than a 75% federal cost share through its public assistance program, which provides funds for state and local governments’ response and recovery work. As for the ice storm, the state has a revolving loan program in effect, allowing counties and municipalities to access funding while awaiting federal reimbursement
Winter Storm Fern hit this past January and impacted over half of Mississippi, destroying trees and power lines, leaving roughly 180,000 customers without power at its peak, and killing 29. As of late February, more than 12,000 insurance claims had been filed, totaling over $107 million, according to the Mississippi Insurance Department.
The March 2025 conditions included 18 tornadoes, ranging from EF-4 to EF-0, and destroyed hundreds of homes destroyed in the Delta and Pine Belt regions. The outbreak injured more than 30 people and claimed seven lives.