A historically damaging ice storm occurred from southwestern Mississippi northeast through the Delta region into North Mississippi. The corridor of heaviest ice accretion, with ice thickness measured at up to one inch, spanned from Sharkey and Issaquena counties and southern Washington County, through Humphreys, Holmes, and northwestern Yazoo counties, through Leflore, Carroll, and Grenada…
Every event with a place to put it; 74 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS JAN wrote it up.
A historically damaging ice storm occurred from southwestern Mississippi northeast through the Delta region into North Mississippi. The corridor of heaviest ice accretion, with ice thickness measured at up to one inch, spanned from Sharkey and Issaquena counties and southern Washington County, through Humphreys, Holmes, and northwestern Yazoo counties, through Leflore, Carroll, and Grenada counties. Tree damage in this region was tremendous, and several homes were damaged or destroyed by falling trees. Travel impacts persisted through Friday, January 30th in some areas. More than 189,000 customers in Mississippi lost power during the peak of the storm with thousands of power poles broken. Full power restoration took more than two weeks in the hardest hit areas, and it took more than one week for some customers in Attala, Bolivar, Carroll Grenada, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Leflore, Madison, Montgomery, Sharkey, Sunflower, Warren, Washington, Webster and Yazoo counties. Some meters remained unpowered for three weeks in the hardest hit portions of our area. The loss of electricity and the very cold temperatures that followed resulted in the loss of water in several communities.
Significant sleet accumulations, as high as 2 to 3 inches occurred in parts of northwest Mississippi. In these areas, the weight of the accumulation resulted in the collapse of several sheds, carports, gas station awnings and the roofs of some buildings. Sleet remained on the ground across much of Bolivar, Sunflower, and Washington counties for an entire week, with some of the deeper sleet accumulations through Bolivar County persisting through at least Sunday, February 8th.
Bitter cold conditions followed the storm, with temperatures as low as 11 at Bluff Lake, 12 at Natchez and Starkville, 13 at Ackerman, Collins, Crystal Springs, Forest, and Golden Triangle Airport; 14 at Brookhaven, Canton, Columbia, Columbus AFB, Hawkins Field in Jackson, Louisville, Madison, Newton, and Philadelphia; 15 at Jackson International; 16 at Greenville, Indianola, Meridian, and Vicksburg; and 17 at Cleveland, Laurel, and Rolling Fork. Wind chills were as low as -1 at Greenville, 2 at Golden Triangle Airport, 3 at Louisville, 4 at Natchez; 5 at Columbus AFB, Hawkins Field in Jackson, and Vicksburg; 6 at Cleveland, Crystal Springs, Jackson, Meridian, and Starkville; 7 at Madison, 8 at Philadelphia, and 9 at Canton and Laurel. Note: At several area weather stations, the lowest wind chill was unavailable because the anemometer was frozen and unable to record wind speed data.
Severn deaths occurred in the Mississippi counties in the NWS Jackson area - four due to exposure to the cold in Hinds, Sharkey, Warren, and Yazoo counties, and three in fire-related incidents in Adams, Leflore, and Jefferson counties. Additional injuries were reported in Grenada, Hinds, Sharkey, Smith, Warren, and Washington counties. At least 278 residences and nine businesses were damaged or destroyed in the Mississippi portion of our forecast area.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
46 extreme cold/wind chill, 21 ice storm, 5 winter weather, 2 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
A winter storm brough freezing rain accumulations of up to 0.25 inches and sleet accumulations of up to 5 inches to the county. Sleet covered roads across the county before transitioning to primarily freezing rain after 2:30 PM local time on the 24th.
Heavy ice accumulation was observed in trees and on power lines resulting in extensive damage to trees and lines. Estimated freezing rain accumulation was 1.0 inch.
Estimate of 0.5 inch of accumulated freezing rain in Greenwood with downed trees and powerlines with thick ice cover.
Numerous trees were snapped or fallen, a few of them across roadways. One split in half and each half fell through two neighboring houses. Total estimated freezing rain accumulation was 0.5 inch.
Freezing rain accumulation of 0.5 to 1.0 inches occurred across the county. Extensive and widespread damage occurred to trees and power lines. Numerous power outages and impassable roads were observed due to downed trees and powerlines.
Freezing rain accumulation of 0.5 to 0.75 inches occurred mainly across the northwestern portions of the county. Extensive and widespread damage occurred to trees and power lines. Numerous power outages and impassable roads were observed due to downed trees and powerlines. Lesser impacts were noted across the east and southeast areas.
Freezing rain with accumulation up to 0.5 inch resulted in numerous power lines down and poles snapped across the county. 11 individuals were hospitalized due to hypothermia during and after this event.
Freezing rain accumulation of up to 0.5 inches brought down several large trees from near Ackerman northward to the northern Choctaw County line. These downed trees were observed at several locations along the Highway 9 route and near Ackerman.
A mix of sleet and freezing rain fell across the county. Approximately 0.5 inches of radial ice was measured on limbs from freezing rain. Widespread trees and power lines were down across the county. A total of 3 inches of sleet was observed near Ruleville, and 2.5 inches was measured in Indianola.
Tree and power line damage occurred all along Sturgis-Maben Road in western Oktibbeha County due to 0.25 to 0.50 inch of freezing rain accumulation. This seems to mark the eastward edge of the most significant ice storm damage.
Up to 0.5 inch of freezing rain was observed on trees and power lines with multiple large limbs down.
Widespread power outages were reported in Sharkey County by both Entergy and Twin County EPA. Trees and limbs were down across roads and power lines. Transformers were destroyed and three tree and power pole fires were observed. Damage to at least three homes/mobile homes occurred due to falling trees. Resident were reported to have been trapped inside homes. Freezing rain accumulations were observed of up to 2 inches on power lines, approximately 1 inch was estimated to be the radial accumulation.
Widespread power outages were reported across the county by utility companies. Extensive damage to trees and limbs occurred and countless were down across roads and power lines. Transformers were destroyed. Damage to numerous homes/mobile homes occurred due to falling trees. Freezing rain accumulations were observed of up to 2 inches on power lines, approximately 1 inch was estimated to be the radial accumulation.
Freezing rain accumulation up to 0.4 inch was observed 11 miles northwest of Kings with 0.25-0.3 inches of freezing rain accumulation noted elsewhere in the county. Numerous trees and limbs were downed along with power lines. Power outages were observed across the county and numerous roads had ice on them.
Icing was observed in trees and powerlines. Trees and lines were down in western parts of the county. Estimated freezing rain accumulation was 0.25 inch.
Significant ice accumulation was observed across the county with a range from 0.5 inch to 1 inch. Extensive damage was observed to to trees and power lines. Many roads including portions of US Highway 49 and Mississippi Highway 17 were blocked due to fallen trees.
Significant ice accumulation was observed across the county with a range from 0.5 inch to 1 inch. Extensive damage was observed to to trees and power lines. Many roads were blocked due to fallen trees.
Freezing rain covered trees and lines with numerous trees and lines down across the county with numerous roads blocked. Freezing rain accumulation was estimated at 0.35 inch.
Light ice accumulations of up to around 0.10 inches occurred on trees and bridges in the county.
Light ice accumulations of up to around 0.15 inches occurred on trees and bridges in the county.
Light ice accumulations of up to around 0.05 inches occurred on trees in the county.
Trees fell in Natchez due to icing. A home on Holly Drive was damaged from a large tree |which snapped and fell onto it. Icing was observed in trees and power lines. Maximum estimated freezing rain accumulations were 0.25 inch, mostly in northern and central portions of the area. Trees, limbs and lines were down across the county.
Light ice accumulations of up to around 0.05 inches occurred on trees in the county.
Light ice accumulations of up to around 0.15 inches occurred on trees and bridges in the county.
Ice covered trees and powerlines. Numerous trees and lines were down across the county blocking roads. Estimated freezing rain accumulation was 0.25 inch.
Ice accumulations in trees reached 0.25 inch in western Hinds county. A few trees were down in southwestern Hinds Co, Learned and Utica with blocked roads. Power lines and poles were downed. Downed limbs fell onto a person along Darden Road, causing injury.
Trees and powerlines were downed in the county. Estimated freezing rain accumulation was 0.25 inch.
Icing was observed on trees, power lines and roads. Trees, limbs and lines were downed across the county. Estimated freezing rain accumulation total was around 0.25 inch.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th. A 71 year old male died in his home due to hypothermia following this cold weather event.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th. Three people died due to cold exposure, and another individual was hospitalized due to hypothermia during this cold weather event.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th. A 22 year old male died from a house fire during this cold weather event.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th. A 71 year old male died due to a house fire.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as 0 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as 0 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as 0 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as 0 degrees during the early morning of January 26th. A female died in a house fire during this cold weather event.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as 0 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as 0 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as 0 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as 0 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as 0 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -10 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -10 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -10 degrees during the early morning of January 26th. A 71 year old female died and another individual was injured in a house fire following this cold weather event.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -10 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
Wind chills across the county fell as low as -5 degrees during the early morning of January 26th.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Warren | 2026-01-27 | 71 | Male | Permanent Home | Direct |
| Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Hinds | 2026-01-25 | 66 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
| Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Jefferson | 2026-01-26 | 22 | Male | Permanent Home | Indirect |
| Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Adams | 2026-01-26 | 71 | Male | Permanent Home | Indirect |
| Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Lincoln | 2026-01-26 | Female | Permanent Home | Indirect | |
| Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Leflore | 2026-01-27 | 71 | Female | Permanent Home | Indirect |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Mississippi in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Mississippi, January 2026
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1315343, 1311137, 1311115, 1311116, 1311117, 1312648, 1311118, 1311119, 1315358, 1311121, 1311122, 1311123, 1312636, 1311124, 1311125, 1311127, 1312646, 1311126, 1315346, 1315354, 1315356, 1311131, 1315348, 1315352, 1311129, 1311130, 1311132, 1311134, 1315569, 1315570, 1315572, 1315568, 1315571, 1315573, 1315578, 1315579, 1315580, 1315566, 1315567, 1315574, and more.