2026 Ice Storm Fern

 Predictions came in early that there would be a winter storm hit the mid-south that would stop everything in it’s tracks. They hit the nail on the head and the Coffeeville community is iced in. 

Saturday the rain started and began freezing on the trees, as dark fell many knew it was a matter of time before the lights went out. At our house and in town it was around 2am Sunday morning when they blinked and out they went. 

Some were prepared for it but many were not and as we linger into the third day of this lovely weather some are cold and hungry. Warming stations have been opened and they are: the Multipurpose Building in Coffeeville; Elam Baptist in Coffeeville; and the Civic Center in Water Valley. These are only warming stations and have only been open during the day. 

Fires are also a concern as people are trying to stay warm any way they can, some are even sleeping in running cars. This brings another danger, carbon dioxide poison. Water Valley had a case where five people were taken to the hospital for carbon dioxide poison due the way the were heating their home. 

Over 53% of the electric customers in Yalobusha County are reported to be without of power as of Monday morning, January 26th. Yalobusha County is served by TVEPA, Water Valley Electric, Entergy, and Natchez Trace EPA. Crews from other power associations are coming in to help restore power to our county but for some it may take weeks. 

The opposite side of this is the beauty of the ice on the trees as the sun came up Monday morning, God paints a beautiful picture. In the words of my late father-in-law, Midnight Williams, “It’s just MARVELOUS!” But once you get out and see the destruction the beauty fades. 

Coffeeville and all of Yalobusha County will recover but for some it will be a long journey. 

Stay safe, stay warm, check on folks and come on SPRING!