Four more deaths confirmed due to weather related impacts in Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. – Governor Tate Reeves today announced that the state of Mississippi continues to work with county, state, federal, and private sector partners to respond to the severe winter weather impacting the state.

Four more deaths have been reported – one in Lafayette County, one in Panola County, and two in Tippah County. This brings the total to 14 statewide. Life safety remains the top priority.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has received reports of 223 homes, 10 businesses, and seven farms damaged, destroyed or affected statewide. Additionally, 20 public roads have sustained major damage, 50 sustained minor damage, and 12 have been destroyed. Two bridges have sustained minor damage. Those numbers are expected to rise as damage assessments continue.

79 warning centers are open in 44 counties. Five shelters are open in four counties.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) continues to successfully clear problem areas on I-55, I-22, I-69, I-269, I-302, US 72 and US 61. These problem areas are a result of temperatures dropping below freezing last night, black ice accumulation, and moisture refreezing on the roadways. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) and MDOT are opening portions of I-55 north incrementally as MDOT crews continue to advance toward the Tennessee state line. Please monitor MDOT and DPS media alerts for the latest updates on road conditions.

MEMA continues to deploy requested personnel and resources to impacted counties. The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has 3 ambulances and 6 personnel in Yalobusha County and 2 ambulances and 4 personnel in Tippah County to provide emergency medical services, as well as to treat and transport patients. MSDH is also standing up a Medical Needs Shelter with equipment and supplies in Lafayette County. DPS is deploying extra Mississippi Highway Patrol officers to assist with daily calls.

MEMA is constantly coordinating with the Mississippi National Guard (MSNG) to deploy generators, water, MREs, fuel, cots, and blankets that have been requested. Five MSNG trucks loaded with 66 pallets of meals, blankets, water, and cots were delivered to Marshall, Bolivar, and Lafayette County yesterday. MSNG Chinook helicopters continue to deliver supplies to impacted counties. More than 70,000 pounds of supplies have been delivered by Chinooks alone.

The MSNG is mobilizing another 150 soldiers to bring the total of 650 soldiers assisting with response efforts. MSNG is supporting MDOT in clearing roads in Alcorn, Lafayette, Panola, and Tippah counties. Additionally, the MSNG completed a mission to help transport dialysis patients in Claiborne County. A MSNG Blackhawk helicopter also medevacked two people from Oxford to a hospital in Memphis.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is assisting in generator installation at critical infrastructure sites. A total of 45 generators have been installed in critical locations in impacted counties. Six generators have been installed in warming centers and shelters, 24 installed in water systems, four at water towers, three in personal care homes, two in assisted living facilities and long-term care homes, five in correctional facilities, and one at a fueling station.

FEMA is continuing to support Mississippi’s efforts. FEMA is filling the state’s request for 90 generators, 128,000 bottles of water, 107,000 meals, 2178 cots, 9,000 blankets, 3,360 tarps, and 3,200 medical grade oxygen cylinders. FEMA is also sending four Starlink satellites. Additionally, Starlink is providing 20 Starlink devices for counties to use.

Power companies have deployed thousands of linemen to help restore power as quickly as possible. Approximately 98,850 outages remain throughout the state, down from a high of about 180,000.

Volunteer organizations are coordinating with MEMA to help in the impacted communities. Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief is mobilizing volunteers for chainsaw operations. 8 Days of Hope is providing free meals through their mass feeding ministry to Mississippians and deploying a rapid response team to help clean up. Samaritan’s Purse and the Cajun Navy are on the ground in Mississippi helping in the impacted counties.

Businesses are coordinating with MEMA’s Business Emergency Operations Center to assist. Walmart, in coordination with Matthew 25 Ministry’s Tide Loads of Hope Program, is sending a laundry and shower trailer with mobile charging to their Oxford store.