Winter Storm Fern has carved a deadly path across the United States, claiming 85 lives nationwide as forecasters warn that more severe weather may be on the horizon in the weeks ahead.
Mississippi bore one of the heaviest blows. In the Magnolia State alone, 23 people lost their lives. Tens of thousands remain without power, days after the storm system pushed north.
Now, state and federal officials are racing to stabilize communities, restore electricity, and prepare for what could come next.
Mississippi’s Toll: 23 Dead, Thousands in the Dark
Although conditions have improved since the worst of the ice and snow, the recovery effort is far from over. Gov. Tate Reeves described the storm’s impact as unprecedented.
“There’s no doubt that Mississippi got hit hard in this ice storm and ice is unlike anything we’ve ever seen before,” Reeves told, as Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined him in visiting a Mississippi National Guard facility in Tupelo, Miss.
The governor stressed that disaster response works best when responsibilities are clearly defined. States lead, local agencies execute, and the federal government provides support when needed.
“We appreciate the fact that she understands that these disasters are state-managed, locally executed, and federally supported,” the governor said.
“I will tell you the team at FEMA has been integrated with our team at the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency since the very beginning of this storm and when we need assets they have delivered, and I am very thankful for that.”
Across the country, hundreds of thousands of Americans are still without power. Utility crews continue to battle icy roads and frigid temperatures as they work to restore service.
Noem Visits Tupelo, Praises FEMA Response
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem traveled to Tupelo for a roundtable with state officials and members of the Mississippi National Guard.
Despite her past criticisms of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Noem acknowledged the agency’s performance during the storm.
Noem told she thought FEMA did “a great job.”
During her visit, she emphasized the importance of preparation and early coordination.
“We did a great job with the National Weather Service and NOAA predicting the storm,” Noem told during the visit. “And giving us some time to get generators here ahead of time, get people in place. But it’s been incredible today to hear the stories of what worked.”
Still, Noem has not retreated from her broader reform goals. She has previously stated that she wants to “get rid of FEMA as it is today.”
FEMA’s New Approach Under Scrutiny
When asked how FEMA has evolved under her leadership, Noem pointed to structural changes aimed at cutting red tape and accelerating aid.
Under her watch, FEMA has shifted toward a block grant model. This approach allows federal funds to move into states before disasters fully unfold, giving governors greater authority to hire contractors and mobilize resources quickly.
“There’s a lot within FEMA that is written in statute, it’s in law, what it does,” Noem explained. “But we cut the paperwork and cut the bureaucracy of it. Immediately now, when there’s a disaster that’s coming, we pre-deploy people and dollars to that state in a block grant so they can go out, and they can hire contractors to help their neighbors.”
The move aligns with earlier remarks from Donald Trump, who indicated last June that the administration would “wean off of FEMA,” after hurricane season ended last year.
Supporters argue the model empowers states and speeds recovery. Critics question whether scaling back centralized oversight could create inconsistencies. For now, officials in Mississippi say the coordination has been effective.
More Arctic Air Ahead
Even as crews clear debris and repair downed lines, meteorologists warn the country may not be out of danger.
Cold air continues to linger across large swaths of the United States. Meanwhile, forecasters report a major disruption to the Polar Vortex expected in February, a shift that could send another blast of freezing Arctic air into the eastern part of the country.
For families still shivering in darkened homes, the forecast is more than a headline. It is a pressing concern.
As Mississippi rebuilds and other states brace for additional storms, one question hangs in the air. After a winter already marked by tragedy, how much more can communities endure?
