Two more Mississippians have died and dozens of properties have sustained damage as the state continues to feel the effects of the weekend’s severe winter weather, state officials reported Tuesday.

The deaths in Leflore and Alcorn counties bring the total number of weather-related fatalities to four in the Magnolia State so far, and officials have also confirmed two injuries in Hinds and Smith counties, according to a news release from the office of Gov. Tate Reeves.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has received reports of damage to 92 homes, three businesses and seven farms across 48 counties, although those numbers are expected to climb as damage assessments continue.

Utility providers are still working to restore power for about 143,700 Mississippians, and ice remains present on roads and bridges in 37 counties.

“As we look to the future, we know that we have a lot of work ahead of us,” Reeves said during a Monday press conference, noting that local leaders have a short window to get resources to affected areas before another cold front reaches the state this upcoming weekend.

The governor’s office is advising residents in hard-hit counties—particularly in North Mississippi and the Delta—to continue staying home and avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.

A view low to the crown of ice frosted trees and grass, and a broken limb hanging by the power lines
A tree limb dangles from a power line near Lexington, Miss., Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. AP Photo/Sophie Bates

To help residents of these counties weather the coming days, the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is collecting bottled water, nonperishable food items, can openers, baby diapers and formula, propane cook stoves and propane bottles, and basic essential paper products. People can drop off donations at the Old Armory at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds in Jackson from Tuesday, Jan. 27, to Friday, Jan. 30, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Tuesday’s news release also encourages residents who’ve suffered damage from the winter weather to do the following:

  • File an insurance claim.
  • Take photos of the damage to the home.
  • Report damage to their county/MEMA via the self-report tool.

More information on resources and assistance is available at msema.org.

➡️ Read more stories from the Delta Bureau here.

Environmental Reporter Illan Ireland is Mississippi Free Press’s bilingual environmental reporter in partnership with Report for America. Prior to joining the Mississippi Free Press, he completed a fellowship with The Futuro Media Group in New York City, taking on projects related to public health, climate change and housing insecurity. His freelance work has appeared in City Limits and various Futuro Media properties. Illan holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University and an M.S. from the Columbia Journalism School, where he spent a year covering the drug overdose crisis unfolding in New York City. He’s a Chicago native, a proud Mexican American and a lover of movies, soccer and unreasonably spicy foods. You can reach him at illan@mississippifreepress.org.