Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has signed Executive Order 1593, activating the Mississippi National Guard to support response and recovery efforts following severe winter weather. About 500 Guardsmen have been deployed, with the possibility of additional personnel as needed, according to the governor’s office.
The state has reported significant damage, including 14 major damage incidents to residential buildings, three minor residential damages, and one major damage to a business. Additionally, 20 public roads have suffered major damage. Requests for assistance from 33 counties total 136, with many areas experiencing power outages and infrastructure challenges.
Mississippi is distributing essentials such as oxygen cylinders, generators, bottled water, MREs, cots, blankets, and tarps to affected counties. About 147,000 residents remain without power, and FEMA has supplied an additional 30 generators to help healthcare facilities, nursing homes, warming centers, and rural water systems.
Utility crews face difficult conditions due to weather and road hazards, especially in northern and rural parts of the state. Power restoration efforts are ongoing but expected to take time. The Mississippi Department of Transportation continues to treat highways, urging residents to stay off the roads until conditions improve.
There are 61 warming centers open across 30 counties. For a current list of locations, residents are advised to visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency’s website. Officials also encourage residents to check on neighbors and stay updated on the situation as Mississippi continues to recover from the storm.
