Mississippi has activated the Mississippi National Guard to assist response and recovery efforts after the signing of Executive Order 1593, a Facebook post said. Officials said 500 Guardsmen will deploy initially, and that number could increase as needs grow.
The post said the Guard will provide logistical support and deliver resources across the state. Mississippi is deploying oxygen cylinders, generators, bottled water, MREs, cots, blankets and tarps to counties, and about 147,000 customers are without power.
The state reported 14 residential properties with major damage and three with minor damage, one business with major damage and 20 public roads with major damage. Thirty-three counties have submitted requests for assistance, and the total number of requests stands at 136, the post said.
Mississippi has secured an additional 30 generators from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to send to health care facilities, nursing homes, warming centers and rural water systems, the post said. The Mississippi Department of Transportation is treating highways and officials urged residents to stay off roads while conditions remain dangerous; roads are expected to improve only after temperatures rise above freezing.
Sixty-one warming centers are open in 30 counties, and residents were urged to check on family, friends and neighbors. This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
