Mississippi declares state of emergency ahead of winter storm
Gov. Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency in advance of severe winter weather expected to impact Mississippi beginning Friday, Reeves said in a Facebook post. The declaration is in effect through at least Jan. 27 and will allow the state to mobilize additional assets to support counties affected by the storm.
Reeves said the state has deployed generators, pallets of water, roof tarps, blankets, pillows and cots to counties that requested them. Counties are opening warming shelters, and State Area Coordinators are working with local emergency managers to identify gaps in response plans and coordinate resources before the onset of cold weather.
Reeves warned that current forecasts call for freezing temperatures, freezing rain, sleet and snow. Ice accumulation on power lines and downed trees could cause outages, and utility providers across the state are preparing to respond and restore power as quickly as possible. The Mississippi Department of Transportation is preparing highways, but road conditions could still be dangerous; Reeves urged residents to stay off roads if possible.
For more information and a list of warming shelters, visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency website at https://www.msema.org/get-assistance/disaster-resources/disasters/january-2026-winter-weather. This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
