Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves confirmed a fourth storm-related death as the state continues to respond to the impacts of a prolonged winter weather event that has brought ice, power outages and widespread damage across dozens of counties.
Gov. Tate Reeves said the latest fatality was reported in Leflore County, bringing the statewide death toll from the storm to four. Reeves asked Mississippians to keep the affected families in their prayers.
Damage assessments are ongoing, and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has so far received reports of damage to 92 homes, three businesses and seven farms statewide. Officials said those numbers are expected to increase as counties complete assessments in the coming days.
Power restoration efforts remain underway, with approximately 143,700 outages reported across the state. Reeves said the Mississippi Department of Transportation continues clearing roads while MEMA works to fulfill requests from 37 counties for generators, tarps, meals ready to eat, bottled water, cots, blankets and fuel.
Federal assistance has also been deployed. Reeves said the Federal Emergency Management Agency is delivering 11 truckloads of supplies to Mississippi and sending a 90-member chainsaw team to North Mississippi to assist with debris removal. The American Red Cross is providing shelter support, while Pinelake Church and Convoy of Hope are helping supply warming shelters. Private partners, including Lowe’s and the Mississippi Trucking Association, have also assisted with tools and transportation of supplies.
Residents wishing to help are encouraged to donate bottled water, nonperishable food, baby supplies, propane cook stoves and basic paper products. Donations are being collected by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce at the Old Armory at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds through Jan. 30. MEMA is coordinating distribution of those items to impacted areas.
Travel conditions remain hazardous in much of the state. As of Tuesday morning, ice was still reported on roads and bridges in 37 counties. Officials continue to urge residents to stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary and to monitor updates from MDOT for the latest conditions.
Warming shelters remain open across Mississippi, and a list of county- and city-run shelters is available through MEMA’s website.
Reeves said he plans to visit impacted areas and will hold another briefing at MEMA to provide additional updates. He praised Mississippians for helping one another during the storm response, calling the state’s charitable efforts “on full display” as recovery continues.
