Story perspectives

Winter Storm Fern Strikes Mississippi, 300,000 Lose Power

1/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Winter Storm Fern left nearly 300,000 people in Mississippi without power, with Oxford heavily affected.
Crews from Tennessee and Alabama are assisting with power restoration on multiple circuits.
The Oxford Conference Center and Lafayette County arena are providing shelter for those in need.
Mayor Robyn Tannehill of Oxford acknowledged residents' frustration at being unable to prepare for the storm and said efforts to address their needs are ongoing.

History

Historical Context

The Great Blizzard of 1993, also known as the Storm of the Century, struck from March 12 to 15, affecting a vast area from Canada to Honduras. It caused over 10 million power outages and resulted in 318 fatalities. Similarly, Winter Storm Fern recently left nearly 300,000 people in Mississippi without power, underscoring the ongoing vulnerability of infrastructure during severe weather events.

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Story summary

Winter Storm Fern left nearly 300,000 people in Mississippi without power, with Oxford heavily affected.
Crews from Tennessee and Alabama are assisting with power restoration on multiple circuits.
The Oxford Conference Center and Lafayette County arena are providing shelter for those in need.
Mayor Robyn Tannehill of Oxford acknowledged residents' frustration at being unable to prepare for the storm and said efforts to address their needs are ongoing.

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