Severe Cold Weather Continues to Impact Southern U.S. Residents

Tue Feb 03 2026 19:29:18 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As extreme cold sweeps across the southern U.S., residents of Mississippi and Tennessee face ongoing power outages, increasing the risk of hypothermia and other cold-related conditions.

Residents in Mississippi and Tennessee are facing their sixth day without power as subfreezing temperatures loom. Medical experts warn about the risks of prolonged exposure to cold, particularly among vulnerable populations. Efforts are underway by National Guard troops to deliver supplies to those affected, while the National Weather Service predicts continued severe weather conditions in the east.

BELZONI, Miss. (AP) — A new wave of severe cold is approaching the Southern U.S., worsening current conditions for residents of Mississippi and Tennessee who are entering their sixth day without power amid freezing temperatures. This has raised concerns about hypothermia for those trapped at home.

Prolonged exposure can be detrimental to health, warns Dr. Hans House, an emergency medicine professor. With predicted temperatures plunging into the teens, experts emphasize the need for vigilance, especially among vulnerable groups like the elderly and infants.

Emergency services report it has been a challenging week as power outages continue to affect over 230,000 homes and businesses, particularly in Mississippi and Tennessee. The situation has mobilized National Guard troops who are providing essential supplies, including meals and blankets to those stranded.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves informed that warming centers have been established across the state, while in Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee highlighted the distribution of warming supplies. Efforts to restore electricity are ongoing, yet timelines remain uncertain.

As residents grapple with freezing conditions, weather forecasts indicate that dangerous cold will persist into February, and areas in the Carolinas and Georgia may face heavy snow accumulation. The National Weather Service has cautioned against the risks posed by further winter weather, including freezing rain and severe wind chills.

Authorities are on high alert as the death toll linked to these adverse conditions has reached at least 85, highlighting the life-threatening nature of such extreme weather.