Mississippians Near Two Weeks Without Power After Winter Storm

Thousands remain without electricity in northern Mississippi following an ice storm that caused widespread damage.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Nearly two weeks after an ice storm knocked out power to her home in rural Oxford, Mississippi, 79-year-old Barbara Bishop is still trying to flip the lights on and find food that has spoiled in her fridge. Bishop and her 85-year-old husband took in their son, granddaughter, and two children, whose homes also lost power and water. Across the street, Russ Jones and his wife have been using buckets of water to flush toilets and cooking on their gas stove to stay warm. Nearly 20,000 customers remained without power in northern Mississippi on Friday, down from about 180,000 shortly after the storm struck late last month.

Why it matters

The prolonged power outages following the winter storm have created significant hardship for residents in northern Mississippi, especially for vulnerable populations like the elderly. The damage to infrastructure and the slow restoration of services highlights the need for better preparedness and resilience in the face of extreme weather events.

The details

The ice storm caused trees to snap in half, bringing down power lines and making roads nearly impassable. Downed trees and power lines remain a hazard in some areas, and many residents have had to rely on alternative methods to cook, stay warm, and flush toilets. Nonprofit organizations like Eight Days of Hope have arrived to help clear debris and provide free meals to those affected.

  • The ice storm struck late last month.
  • Nearly two weeks after the storm, thousands of customers remain without power.
  • On Friday, nearly 20,000 customers were still without power, down from about 180,000 shortly after the storm.

The players

Barbara Bishop

A 79-year-old resident of rural Oxford, Mississippi, who lost power to her home and has been trying to find food that has spoiled in her fridge.

George Bishop

Barbara Bishop's 85-year-old husband, who also lost power to their home.

Russ Jones

A resident of Oxford, Mississippi, who has been using buckets of water to flush toilets and cooking on his gas stove to stay warm after losing power and water.

Eight Days of Hope

A nonprofit organization that has arrived to help clear debris and provide free meals to those affected by the winter storm.

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What they’re saying

“It's just been one of those times you just have to grit, grit your teeth and bare it.”

— Barbara Bishop (wbal.com)

“It's been a shock to the system.”

— Russ Jones (wbal.com)

“It's just beyond anything I could ever imagine.”

— Russ Jones (wbal.com)

What’s next

Utility companies and local authorities are continuing to work to restore power and clear debris in the affected areas. Residents are encouraged to contact their local emergency services if they are in need of assistance.

The takeaway

The prolonged power outages following the winter storm in northern Mississippi have highlighted the need for better preparedness and resilience in the face of extreme weather events. The hardship faced by vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, underscores the importance of ensuring that critical infrastructure and services are maintained during and after natural disasters.