JACKSON — A major winter storm coated much of Mississippi in ice Sunday, leaving as many as 180,000 customers without power, closing dangerous roadways and prompting federal emergency assistance as state officials warned conditions could worsen overnight.
Gov. Tate Reeves said at least 47 counties were affected, with ice reported in 37 of them, primarily across north Mississippi and the Delta. Temperatures were expected to remain below freezing into Tuesday, increasing the risk of falling trees, downed power lines and refreezing roadways.
“This is a significant event for our state,” Reeves said. “We haven’t seen ice of this magnitude since 1994.”
The president approved a federal emergency declaration Saturday, allowing Mississippi to request supplies and financial assistance. State officials said they have asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency for 30 generators, truckloads of water and meals ready to eat, along with cots, blankets and tarps.
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Director Stephen McCraney said the generators will be used for critical facilities such as nursing homes, water systems, sewage lift stations and prisons — not private residences.
“These are prioritized resources to keep essential services running,” McCraney said.
Power outages continued to fluctuate throughout the day as temperatures dropped and ice accumulated on trees and power lines. Utility companies have brought in additional crews from outside the state, but officials declined to estimate when service would be fully restored.
“Trying to put a timeline on it right now would be speculation,” Reeves said.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation reported heavy ice across north Mississippi from the Arkansas line to Alabama. Executive Director Brad White said crews applied more than 200,000 gallons of brine along with salt and sand before the storm, which is the largest pretreatment effort in state history, but ice conditions remain hazardous.
“The slush that’s on the road today will turn back into ice tonight,” White said. “Road travel can be summed up in one word: nope.”
State officials urged residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary to allow utility workers, emergency responders and road crews to operate safely.
“If you don’t have to be on the roads, please stay off the roads,” Reeves said. “An accident drains resources that are needed elsewhere.”
The state has opened 58 warming shelters, though some are near capacity while others remain underused. Officials encouraged residents without heat to seek shelter and to check on elderly neighbors and family members.
McCraney praised volunteer firefighters, local emergency managers and transportation crews who have worked for days clearing fallen trees and assisting stranded motorists, often waiting for utility companies to secure live power lines before proceeding.
Officials also confirmed power outages at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman and the Delta Correctional Facility in Greenwood. Backup generators were deployed to both facilities Sunday after some systems failed to start during the storm.
No storm-related deaths or serious injuries had been confirmed in Mississippi as of Sunday afternoon, though officials cautioned that the risk remains high as temperatures continue to drop.
“We’re in the first 72 hours of this event,” McCraney said. “We need people to hold steady, stay home, check on loved ones and let crews do their work.”
Reeves said the Mississippi National Guard has not been activated but remains available if conditions worsen.
Most interstate highways remain passable, officials said, but many rural two-lane roads are blocked by fallen trees or ice-covered power lines.
Officials warned that even when roads reopen, black ice will likely remain in shaded areas and along curves.
“Just because the precipitation has stopped doesn’t mean the danger has passed,” Reeves said. “The next 36 to 48 hours are critical.”