Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves Briefs on Winter Storm Impact and Response

Winter Storm Impact and Current Conditions

• ❄️ Severe winter storm has impacted Mississippi, with precipitation moved out but temperatures remaining below freezing, causing significant ice accumulation.
• ⚠️ 48 counties have damage reports, with 37 experiencing ongoing ice, creating challenges for emergency personnel and transportation.
• 📉 Power outages peaked at 180,000 homes and are now below 150,000, but restoration is slow due to falling trees and limbs.

State and Federal Response Efforts

• 🛡️ The Mississippi National Guard will deploy up to 500 members to assist with response efforts, with planning underway for over a week.
• 🤝 Local officials are urged to work through emergency managers to ensure proper chain of command for requesting resources.
• 🏠 61 shelters and warming centers are operational across 30 counties, with 33 counties submitting 136 requests through the Web EOC system.
• ⚡ FEMA assets are on the ground, and requests for generators, water, MREs, and blankets are being fulfilled.

Transportation and Infrastructure Challenges

• 🛣️ The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is facing challenges with ice and entangled trees, impacting over 15,000 lane miles and 3,000 bridges.
• 🧊 Ice storms are particularly difficult as they cannot be plowed like snow, requiring sunlight and above-freezing temperatures for effective treatment.
• 💧 Water utilities in some areas are experiencing issues due to power outages, with generators being assessed for critical facilities like long-term care homes.

Road Conditions and Travel Advisory

• 🚗 Road conditions remain dangerous, especially on secondary roads, with ice patches in shaded areas and curves.
• 🚫 Travel is strongly discouraged unless absolutely necessary to allow emergency personnel and utility crews to work.
• 🛠️ MDOT is mobilizing crews and has undertaken its largest pre-treatment and treatment efforts ever for a storm of this magnitude.

Fatalities and Ongoing Concerns

• 😔 Two confirmed fatalities have occurred due to the storm, with reports of a third pending confirmation.
• 🥶 Temperatures are expected to remain very low, particularly in North Mississippi, with another cold front potentially arriving around the weekend.
• 🙏 Residents are encouraged to check on neighbors and friends, especially those without power or heat, and utilize warming centers if needed.