The governor signed Executive Order 1593, activating the Mississippi National Guard to assist with statewide response and recovery after severe winter weather, a Facebook post said.
The post said 500 Guardsmen will be deployed initially to provide logistical support and deliver resources across the state. That number could increase as response and recovery efforts progress, the post said.
State officials have received reports of 14 residences with major damage, three residences with minor damage and one business with major damage. They reported 20 public roads with major damage, and 33 counties have submitted requests for assistance, with a total of 136 requests logged so far.
Mississippi is deploying oxygen cylinders, generators, bottled water, meals ready to eat, cots, blankets and tarps. About 147,000 customers are without power, and the state has secured an additional 30 generators from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Those generators will go to health-care facilities, nursing homes, warming centers and rural water systems in need.
Officials warned that weather and road conditions are hampering utility crews. “To put it bluntly, it’s really bad in northern and rural parts of Mississippi,” the post said. The Mississippi Department of Transportation is treating highways and urged residents to stay off roads while ice remains, noting restoration will take time.
Sixty-one warming centers are open in 30 counties. For the latest list, visit msema.org. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
