Residents of Leflore County and first responders are continuing the process of rebuilding due to the damage and power outages from Winter Storm Fern.
Another round of extreme cold and gusty winds is predicted for the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
The inclement weather has forced the closure of Greenwood Leflore Consolidated School District and Leflore Legacy Academy for the entire week. Schools plan to reopen on Feb. 2.
Pillow Academy and Leflore Christian School have announced closures until further notice due to the weather. Carroll Academy and Carroll County School District schools will also be closed Wednesday. Mississippi Delta Community College and Mississippi Valley State University have announced that their campuses will remain closed Wednesday.
Grand Boulevard was was completely covered Monday morning in ice and sleet following the winter storm on Saturday and Sunday. (Photo by Brent Maze, © 2026, Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.)
The precipitation from the winter storm hit Leflore County on Saturday and continued into Sunday. It has led to numerous fallen trees as well as reports of residents without power.
Itta Bena Mayor Mary Tyes-Williams said her community has a lot of damage from fallen trees and power lines, causing a total power outage in the city including its water well.
Delta Electric Power Association was able to restore the generator for the city’s water well off Sunflower Road on Tuesday, according to District 4 Supervisor Eric Mitchell.
“It’s not at full pressure, but the city has water now,” Mitchell said.
Scott Petroleum has offered to loan a generator for the backup water well on Birch Street. Plans are for it to be installed Wednesday, Mitchell said.
President Donald Trump has approved an emergency declaration for Mississippi, which will allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate all disaster relief efforts and provide assistance in all of the state’s 82 counties.
One of the 75 contracted linemen repairs power line damage on Poplar Street. (Photo by Brent Maze, © 2026, Emmerich Newspapers, Inc.)
Greenwood Utilities posted Sunday that about 4,500 of its customers were without electricity. It reported Monday that approximately 2,000 customers had had their power restored, but the falling of ice and tree limbs continue to cause outages.
Delta Electric, which said it had brought on additional contractors, posted Monday that more than 130 of its poles had broken in Leflore, Carroll, Montgomery and Grenada counties. The damage numbers are expected to increase, the company said.
Delta Electric said that more than 21,000 customers were without electric service at one point. That number had dwindled to 17,000 as of Tuesday afternoon.
Among those providing hot meals for free to those without power were the restaurateur brothers duo of Ben and Caleb Cox, as well as their staff and some volunteers, at their Greenwood restaurant, By the Bridge Bistro.
Since 2024, the Cox brothers have partnered with World Central Kitchen, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit founded by renowned Chef José Andrés that provides food to those following humanitarian, climate and other disasters.
The Cox brothers’ partnership with World Central Kitchen first gave out food to those in need following the tornadoes in March 2024 as well as those affected by tornadoes last March.
More recently, Ben said he received a text from World Central Kitchen last Friday asking that they be on standby ahead of the impending winter storm. By Sunday, when the storm had hit Leflore County and the surrounding region, World Central Kitchen informed them to get mobilized.
A free meal given away Tuesday at By the Bridge Bistro to those in need and affected by the winter storm included green beans, corn and pulled pork. The food is provided through a nonprofit partnership with World Central Kitchen. (Photo by Ben Cox)
By Monday, the Cox brothers, their staff and some volunteers handed out 180 meals from their restaurant. On Tuesday, they gave away 360 meals in addition to meals delivered to those who could not drive up to By the Bridge Bistro and 200 meals given to lineworkers with Greenwood Utilities who have been tirelessly at work to reconnect people with power, Ben said.
More meals are to be given out the next few days, Ben said, with the meals varying. The meals themselves are prepped by By the Bridge Bistro, from its own ingredients, with World Central Kitchen reimbursing the Cox brothers later on.
“We’re grateful to be able to give back our time, labor and logistical support to the community that’s support us for over 10 years,” Ben said.
On Monday, North Greenwood Baptist Church also provided lunches for 160 workers from Greenwood Utilities.
A team of 12 people gathered at the church’s gym at around 9:30 a.m. Monday to make the lunches and an additional 90 sandwiches, said the Rev. Dr. Jim Phillips, pastor of North Greenwood Baptist.
“It was really cool. We got an assembly line together,” he said. “It was a blessing.”
When the idea was pitched by church member Randy Henderson, the biggest scramble was finding enough bread, Phillips said. The church was able to gather food from Greenwood Market Place, and received help from the Community Food Pantry, Casey Barrentine and Sonic.
Greenwood Leflore Hospital’s patient census in the emergency room has been average, according to hospital spokesperson Christine Hemphill.
“Since the start of the winter weather, we’ve had some patients needing to be transferred via air ambulance,” Hemphill said Monday. “Due to the availability of our helipad pad, which was cleared today, and the availability of air ambulance services, two of those patients have since been transferred. We are waiting for three others to be transferred. As of 10:45 a.m. today, those three remaining patients have been with us 62, 44 and 23 hours.
“Since Friday, our hospital has been providing room accommodations in-house for staff in need. Local law officials and concern citizens have offered transportation services for nursing staff.”
Another round of extreme cold is predicted for the weekend. According to the weather service, highs will be 37 on Friday, 26 on Saturday and 34 on Sunday. Lows will range from 13 on Saturday morning to 25 on Monday morning.
Tips from NWS to help stay warm if affected by the power outages include closing off unneeded rooms; stuffing towels or rags under doors; closing blinds or curtains; avoiding sugary and alcoholic drinks, which can cause dehydration; and wearing layers of loose-fitting, lightweight and warm clothing.
- Contact Taylor Thompson at 662-581-7239 or tthompson@gwcommonwealth.com.
