Dangerous Winter Storm Cripples US South

Subfreezing temperatures, ice, and power outages leave thousands without heat or access to essential services

Jan. 29, 2026 at 10:39am

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A dangerous winter storm has left the US South in crisis, with Mississippi and Tennessee among the hardest hit. Dispatchers are fielding desperate calls for medication and oxygen from people trapped in their homes, and officials have resorted to using wildfire trucks to transport patients to hospitals. Power outages have affected over 200,000 homes and businesses, and the situation is especially dire for the elderly and those with medical conditions. Warming centers have been opened, but many communities say they are not enough to meet the overwhelming need.

Why it matters

This winter storm is being called the worst in over 30 years for Mississippi, exposing the region's lack of preparedness for such extreme cold weather. The prolonged power outages and impassable roads are putting vulnerable populations at serious risk, highlighting the need for better infrastructure and emergency planning in the South.

The details

Across Mississippi and Tennessee, first responders are conducting welfare checks on those who haven't been heard from in days. Roads remain icy and impassable, with cars and semi-trucks stranded on major interstates. Utility crews are working to restore power, but it could take days or even weeks in some areas. Warming centers have been set up, but many are overwhelmed by the scale of the crisis.

  • The winter storm hit the region over the weekend, with subfreezing temperatures and ice persisting through Thursday.
  • Power outages have affected over 100,000 homes and businesses in Mississippi and another 100,000 in Tennessee since the storm began.
  • Utility workers say it will take at least the weekend, if not longer, to fully restore power in the Nashville area.

The players

Jamie Parttridge

A longtime resident of Batesville, Mississippi, along icy Interstate 55 in the hard-hit northern part of the state.

Nancy Dillon

An 87-year-old woman who spent three days without power on her family farm in the rural outskirts of Nashville, relying on her fireplace for warmth.

Hal Ferrell

The mayor of Batesville, Mississippi, where no one in the city has power and recovery efforts have been hampered by icy roads.

LaRae Sliger

The emergency management director for Hardin County, Tennessee, at the Mississippi state line, where residents are struggling without power, heat, and essential supplies.

Brent Baker

A vice president at Nashville Electric Service, who says utility workers will need at least the weekend, if not longer, to finish restoring power in the Nashville area.

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What they’re saying

“We're at a real mess and warming centers just don't exist for 7,500 people.”

— Hal Ferrell, Mayor of Batesville, Mississippi

“They're cold, they don't have power, they don't have heat, they're out of propane, they're out of wood, they're out of kerosene for their kerosene heaters.”

— LaRae Sliger, Emergency Management Director, Hardin County, Tennessee

“Imagine the roadways blocked. You can't get to your family members, and then you can't reach them to make sure if they're OK. … I can't imagine someone with an infant in this.”

— Jamie Parttridge

What’s next

Road crews in Mississippi will continue to focus on fully reopening Interstates 55 and 22 to allow for better access and distribution of essential supplies. The University of Mississippi has extended its campus closure until February 9th to allow for the removal of dangerous tree limbs and full restoration of power.

The takeaway

This winter storm has exposed the vulnerabilities of the South's infrastructure and emergency preparedness when faced with extreme cold weather. Going forward, state and local officials will need to invest in more robust power grids, better cold-weather planning, and improved coordination to ensure the region is better equipped to handle such dangerous conditions and protect its most vulnerable residents.