Mississippi opens 79 shelters as frigid temperatures persist
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency says temperatures across the state are in the teens and are not expected to rise above freezing until sometime tomorrow afternoon, and only briefly on Sunday.
MEMA said 79 shelters and warming centers are open in 44 counties to assist residents affected by the cold snap. The agency posted a list of shelter locations and other resources on its website at msema.org/get-assistance/disaster-resources/disasters/january-2026-winter-weather.
The Mississippi Department of Human Services reminded SNAP recipients who experienced power outages lasting more than four hours during Winter Storm Fern on Jan. 24, 2026, to apply for replacement benefits. MDHS did not provide a deadline in the post, and residents are directed to the department for application details.
MEMA urged residents to check on friends and neighbors this weekend and included links to report damage and for traffic updates. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
