One-third of Holly Springs Still Without Power

Shelter remains a lifesaver for Holly Springs residents as single-digit wind chills threaten North Mississippi.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 8:55pm

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Nearly a week after a winter storm hit the area, thousands in Holly Springs, Tennessee remain without power. Local crews and outside help are working to restore the grid, but the mayor estimates around 33% of households are still in the dark due to the complexity of the damage. The Eddie Smith Multi-Purpose Building has been transformed into a shelter, providing a warm refuge for locals and travelers caught off guard by the Southern ice.

Why it matters

The prolonged power outage in Holly Springs is causing significant hardship for residents, with many homes left freezing in single-digit wind chills. The shelter has become a vital resource, but the uncertain timeline for full restoration raises concerns about the community's ability to weather the ongoing winter conditions.

The details

Local crews and outside help from as far as Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Texas are working through freezing temperatures to restore a grid crippled by the snow and ice. The mayor noted the remaining 33% of households without power may take longer to restore due to the complexity of the damage, including downed poles in wooded areas and trees tangled in power lines. The shelter at the Eddie Smith Multi-Purpose Building has seen up to 37 people per night, providing a warm bed, hot meals, and refuge for both locals and travelers caught in the storm.

  • The winter storm hit the area about a week ago.
  • The shelter opened three days after the initial storm.
  • Temperatures are expected to plunge into the teens overnight, refreezing roads and sidewalks.

The players

Holly Springs Utility Department (HSUD)

The utility provider that serves approximately 12,000 households in Holly Springs.

Mayor of Holly Springs

The mayor of Holly Springs, who provided updates on the power restoration efforts and the number of households still without electricity.

Pattie Blanchard

The Community Disaster Programs Manager for the American Red Cross, who is overseeing the shelter operations across ten affected counties.

Queen Talley

A Red Cross volunteer assisting at the shelter in Holly Springs.

Marjorie Pedro

A Red Cross volunteer with 30 years of experience who traveled from the St. Croix Virgin Islands to assist with the relief efforts in Holly Springs.

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What they’re saying

“At this time, I believe the honest thing to say is that we've gotten all restored except maybe about 33% of them.”

— Mayor of Holly Springs (localmemphis.com)

“Everybody's just antsy, waiting on power to be restored to their homes. They come in saying 'We don't have power in our home, and we're cold.' Most of them don't have generators, so they come here.”

— Pattie Blanchard, Community Disaster Programs Manager, American Red Cross (localmemphis.com)

“They're just waiting on their lights to come back on. That's all they're waiting on.”

— Marjorie Pedro, Red Cross Volunteer (localmemphis.com)

What’s next

The mayor emphasized that the complexity of the repairs makes it impossible to set a firm deadline for total power restoration, but he expressed hope that the remaining households will have their power restored as quickly as possible.

The takeaway

The prolonged power outage in Holly Springs highlights the significant challenges communities can face in the aftermath of severe winter storms, underscoring the importance of robust emergency preparedness and the vital role that shelters and relief organizations play in supporting residents during times of crisis.