Gov. Tate Reeves announced Friday that at least 16 people in Mississippi have died since a winter storm hit the state last weekend.
The Deep South is bracing for another wave of freezing temperatures this weekend as utility companies continue working to restore power several Mississippi counties.
Some parts of the state are expected to see temperatures as low as 7 degrees and with a wind chill below zero over the next few days.
Reeves said he extended the National Guard’s activation by seven days.
Clarksdale city government posted on social media Friday that members of the Air National Guard had arrived and were helping with ice and snow removal.
“They are working alongside City and County teams to clear main highways, major thoroughfares, and residential streets,” the post said. “Thank you for your patience.”
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s Special Operations Group has been extended through Feb. 4 and regional units will remain on call to help drivers and take people to warming centers.
According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, all state-maintained roads were open by Friday. However, roads remain treacherous and MDOT advised drivers not to travel this weekend unless it is an emergency.
The Trump administration on Friday announced $3.75 million in emergency funding for Mississippi. The amount will be a fraction of what is certain to become a large tab for short-term and long-term recovery in a state with extensive damage.
More than 75,000 customers remained without power Friday evening in Mississippi, according to poweroutage.us. That is down from a peak of about 180,000.
People in some parts of the state also remained without water Friday after generators failed in some water systems, leaving people to rely on bottled water for drinking and bathing.