Another record broken!
Our state’s high school graduation rate is now over 90% — an all-time high and better than the national average.
Mississippi has momentum and THIS is our time!
Quick update on the severe winter weather:
Utility companies continue to make progress restoring power. Approximately 71,800 outages remain, down from a high of about 180,000. This weekend’s new cold front has brought high winds with it in certain areas of the state causing some additional outages (and in some cases, outages to lines only recently brought back online.)
A total of 41 counties have submitted 560 requests for assistance. The state of Mississippi continues to deploy requested personnel and resources to impacted counties.
MEMA has received reports from 51 counties which indicate 292 homes, 22 businesses, and 10 farms have been damaged, destroyed or affected statewide. Additionally, 21 public roads have sustained major damage. 63 have sustained minor damage. Those numbers are expected to fluctuate as damage assessments continue.
Again, temperatures are in the teens and not expected to get above freezing until sometime tomorrow afternoon – and only for a short time on Sunday. 84 warming centers and shelters are now open in 49 counties. If you need to find an open warming center or shelter, please visit: https://t.co/4gYNj8Bbn4
As I said last night: The state of Mississippi understands that many communities may have issues with their water system due to the severe cold. MEMA has stockpiles of water available and is able to quickly deliver it to impacted communities throughout Mississippi. Also, the Mississippi State Department of Health’s water systems expert is fully plugged in and engaged with the state’s Emergency Operations Center. The expert will be monitoring water systems throughout the weekend. If your community is experiencing issues with its water system, please speak to your local emergency manager to request assistance.
Please continue to check on your family, friends, and neighbors!
A team of scientists from the Spanish Cancer Research Centre, led by the renowned Dr Mariano Barbacid, has achieved the complete and permanent disappearance of pancreatic cancer in experimental models.
This discovery could make a difference in the fight against this disease. 👏
For the first time since Sunday morning, total power outages just dropped below 100,000 in Mississippi. We have a long way to go but real progress by tough men working out in the cold is worth mentioning…
HUGE thanks to the linemen from our state - and across the country - that are already out this morning helping get the lights back on!
Mississippi Governor @TateReeves gives an update after the monster winter storm hit his state:
“We have a real opportunity today. We are anticipating that we may have a couple of three hours this afternoon, in which we have both sunlight as well as temperatures slightly above freezing."
It is going to be another frigid night across the state with temperatures dropping into the teens and in some places, the single digits. Here are some tips to keep you and your family safe if you are using a space heater:
➡️Place heaters on a solid, flat surface
➡️Keep at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn
➡️Check cords and plugs for cracks or damage
➡️Plug heaters directly into wall outlets — no extension cords or power strips
Also, remember to check in on your family, friends, and neighbors! Stay warm, Mississippi.
MISSISSIPPI ICE STORM: As one of the most intense winter storms in history has continued its path across the United States, the Mayor of Oxford, MS Robyn Tannehill joins FOX Weather to talk about how her city is handling the storm.
Another update on the severe winter weather storm:
Tragically, two deaths have been reported due to the storm — one in Hinds County and one in Tishomingo County. Additionally, two injuries have been reported — one in Hinds County and one in Smith County. Mississippi is praying for the families of those lost, and that the injured make a speedy recovery.
47 counties and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians have reported damages and impacts from the storm.
@fema is currently on the ground in Mississippi to assist in the distribution of 30 generators and fuel, as well as support response efforts. @MSEMA continues to deploy generators, bottled water, Meals Ready to Eat, cots, and blankets to counties, with more supplies coming to Mississippi from our federal partners today. Thank you to FEMA and President @realDonaldTrump for their continued support of Mississippi.
There are currently over 160,000 without power across the state. Weather hazards, debris, and road conditions are making it difficult to restore power. @MississippiDOT is constantly working to make roads passable. They are also coordinating with local power companies to help clear roadways of any downed power lines. Power companies and utility crews are working tirelessly to restore power as quickly as possible. Please continue praying for these crews as they are working in incredibly dangerous conditions.
Mississippi is still in the damage assessment phase. Those assessments are ongoing and we are working with local emergency managers to get a complete picture of damage in their respective communities. Once those assessments are complete, the state of Mississippi will deploy additional resources as necessary to help communities recover.
The state of Mississippi’s total focus is on responding to this severe winter storm and keeping Mississippians safe. We are using a whole-of-government approach and will use every tool at our disposal to help Mississippians recover.
Please continue to check on your friends, family, and neighbors. Dangerous cold is expected to continue throughout Tuesday morning. Please stay home, stay off the roads, and stay warm. Mississippians who need to warm up may seek shelter at a county or city-run warming center in their area. More than 60 warming centers are open throughout the state. For the latest list of warming shelters and updates on the storm, visit:
https://t.co/4gYNj8ADxw
Wasn’t easy but we made it with a truck load of food to the Lafayette Elementary School which is a warming station for residents of Lafayette County. My understanding is there are warming stations in all counties affected by the Winter Ice Storm. Please check on folks this pm!
Important storm update:
The severe winter weather is having a major impact on our state.
Currently, nearly 150,000 are without power. This number is expected to rise as freezing temperatures remain, ice continues to accumulate and trees continue to fall. As an example, the Tippah Electric Power Association is reporting that one of TVA’s distribution lines has suffered catastrophic damage and because of that, it could be a lengthy time before they are able to restore power to every customer. We are in contact with the Tippah EPA and TVA to coordinate state assistance.
Utility providers are working as quickly as possible to restore power. Road conditions, downed trees and weather hazards are making it hard for utility crews to reach northern areas of the state and restore power. The Mississippi Public Service Commission is working to assess restoration timelines. Please continue to check on your friends, family, and neighbors!
Please pray for the utility crews who are out working. They are working in dangerous conditions, and they run the risk of encountering branches and power lines falling on them. Our entire state thanks them for risking their own safety to help restore power to those who don’t have it. If you do not work for a utility company, please stay away from downed power lines.
58 warming shelters are open across the state. The state of Mississippi continues to remain in contact with local emergency managers. We continue to respond to counties’ needs and will do so throughout the storm. In addition to the resources already deployed, the state will be distributing over 76,600 bottles of water and over 60,000 Meals Ready to Eat as soon as road conditions allow.
We also remain in contact with our federal partners. @MSEMA is currently working with @fema to bring in 30 additional generators for healthcare facilities. We’ve also activated an Emergency Standby Generator Services contract to procure additional generators that can be deployed to impacted areas. Saving lives is our top priority.
@MississippiDOT is still treating highways but roadways remain dangerous. Please stay of the roads if at all possible.
This situation is expected to get worse before it gets better. Again, please continue to check on your friends and family and neighbors.
And please continue praying for Mississippi.