Months After Winter Storm Fern, Mississippi Families Still Await Aid

Local governments struggle with cleanup costs as residents deplete savings for repairs and hotel stays.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:48pm

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Over two months after Winter Storm Fern battered Mississippi with snow and freezing rain, residents and local governments are still feeling its effects. Families have emptied their bank accounts to pay for home repairs and extended hotel stays, and cities are stuck with multi-million dollar bills from ongoing debris cleanup and infrastructure fixes. Despite the significant impacts, Mississippians remain ineligible for direct federal disaster assistance, and efforts to pass recovery bills through the State Legislature have been hampered by disagreements between lawmakers and the governor's office.

Why it matters

The lack of federal and state aid has left many Mississippi families struggling to recover from the devastating impacts of Winter Storm Fern. Local governments are also facing financial strain as they work to clear debris and repair public infrastructure, with some having to take out loans to cover the costs. The situation highlights the challenges communities face in obtaining disaster relief and the need for more robust emergency response and recovery systems.

The details

In the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern, Tyler Grooms and his family spent nine days bouncing between motels in Union County as power outages persisted across much of the state. By the time electricity was restored to his house, Grooms had burned through his savings and was driving Uber during the day to cover the family's hotel stays. Over two months later, the Mississippi Insurance Department has reported over 12,000 claims totaling more than $107 million in losses, an amount that does not reflect the sizable out-of-pocket costs many residents incurred. Some lawmakers have estimated that statewide damages from Fern could reach as high as $400 million. Despite these significant impacts, Mississippi remains ineligible for direct federal disaster assistance through FEMA's Individual Assistance program, forcing many residents to rely on community aid and charitable groups to help with home repairs and unpaid bills.

  • On January 24, Tyler Grooms lost power to his home as Winter Storm Fern wreaked havoc on Mississippi's electrical grid.
  • By late February, the Mississippi Insurance Department had reported over 12,000 claims totaling more than $107 million in losses from the storm.
  • On February 6, President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration request from Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, authorizing Public Assistance funding for dozens of counties statewide, but the declaration did not include Individual Assistance for residents.
  • On March 23, Gov. Tate Reeves vetoed Senate Bill 2632, which would have created a 'disaster recovery emergency loan program' to help local governments with storm recovery costs.
  • On March 26, lawmakers introduced House Bill 1646, which would establish the same emergency loan program as its predecessor, though with a higher 3% annual interest rate.

The players

Tyler Grooms

A 45-year-old resident of New Albany, Mississippi, who spent nine days in motels after losing power during Winter Storm Fern, depleting his savings.

Tate Reeves

The governor of Mississippi, who approved a major disaster declaration request for the state but vetoed a bill that would have created an emergency loan program to help local governments with storm recovery costs.

Ralph Dance

The mayor of Corinth, Mississippi, whose city was devastated by Winter Storm Fern and its fallout.

Brittany Clark

A nurse practitioner whose rural health clinic has been supporting recovery efforts in Union County, Mississippi, and who believes there is a significant need for increased disaster aid in her area.

Robyn Tannehill

The mayor of Oxford, Mississippi, who is preparing to borrow $25 million to help pay for debris clearing and other winter storm costs in Lafayette County.

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What they’re saying

“It was terrible. The 10-day period exacted a steep toll on his mental health and finances, he told the Mississippi Free Press, forcing him to give up what little flexibility he had to keep his family safe.”

— Tyler Grooms

“Everybody was touched by this. I don't think there's a single family that didn't have some kind of cost associated with this storm.”

— Ralph Dance, Mayor of Corinth, Mississippi

“A lot of people were hit financially the hardest by the storm. Many residents who suffered storm damage lacked comprehensive insurance coverage, and there remains a significant need for expanded disaster assistance in her county.”

— Brittany Clark, Nurse Practitioner

“If we have to borrow money, the interest that we will have to pay is not reimbursable, so that will just be money that communities lose.”

— Robyn Tannehill, Mayor of Oxford, Mississippi

“I'm not waiting on (anything). If it comes, it comes, and it'd be really well appreciated.”

— Tyler Grooms

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.