Two more deaths were reported in Alcorn and Union counties, bringing the statewide toll to 16, state officials said in a Facebook post. Thousands of linemen from across the country continue restoring power, and outages have fallen to about 74,000 from a peak near 180,000.
Two linemen were injured while working in Alcorn County, the post said, underscoring the hazardous conditions crews face. Counties continue damage assessments; the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said it has received reports from 51 counties indicating 251 homes, 22 businesses and nine farms have been damaged, destroyed or affected statewide.
Dangerously cold temperatures are expected to begin this evening and last through the weekend, with lows below freezing and wind chills near or below zero, the post said. The state extended activation of the Mississippi National Guard by seven days; a total of 650 soldiers are deployed to offer logistical support. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s Special Operations Group has been extended through at least Feb. 4, 2026, and 79 warming centers are open in 44 counties.
State officials said the Mississippi Department of Transportation has opened Interstates 55 and 22 and that all state-maintained roads are open, though below-freezing temperatures could make travel dangerous. MEMA said it has stockpiles of water ready to deliver to communities with water-system issues, and the state health department is monitoring systems through the Emergency Operations Center.
The state reported delivering thousands of bottles of water, meals, tarps, blankets and cots and more than 119,000 pounds of supplies by Chinook helicopter. Officials also said 49 generators have been installed at critical sites, and the governor issued a proclamation extending the ad valorem tax deadline in impacted counties to March 3, 2026, after adding two counties. This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
