WINTER STORM FERN (Executive Calendar)
Congressional Record Vol. 172, No. 25
(Senate - February 4, 2026) PDF
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sheehy). The other distinguished Senator
from Mississippi.
Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I join my colleague Senator Roger
Wicker to draw the attention of the American people to the widespread
devastation caused by Winter Storm Fern. This powerful storm has
affected millions of Americans across the country, but its effects were
especially severe in the South, a region not typically equipped to
manage prolonged snow, ice, sleet, and dangerous winter conditions.
This storm was particularly devastating in Mississippi, a State that
simply lacks the infrastructure and equipment necessary to respond to a
storm of this magnitude. We are just not prepared, and certainly don't
know how to drive on the roads during this time.
Tragically, Winter Storm Fern has claimed the lives of at least 26
Mississippians as of February 2. Each loss is heartbreaking and comes
with so many stories, as Senator Wicker reflected upon.
The breadth and severity of this disaster have left swaths of the
Delta and north Mississippi with landscapes littered with shattered
trees and downed power lines. Line crews in this bitter cold from
Mississippi and other States are making steady progress in restoring
power to nearly 200,000 families and businesses that lost power. While
we applaud that progress, it may still take another week to fully
connect everyone, especially in more rural counties that lack
resources. Long-term recovery, of course, will take much longer than
that.
I am grateful for the strong response from our State and Federal
partners. More than 600 Mississippi National Guard soldiers are on
extended deployment after performing critical missions, including road
clearance, refueling operations, distribution of goods, and conducting
welfare checks.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks is
assisting with welfare checks and emergency calls in Alcorn and Tippah
Counties that were hit so hard.
Numerous State agencies are playing vital roles in the response,
including the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, Mississippi
Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Department of
Transportation headed by Brad White, Mississippi State Department of
Health, and Mississippi Forestry Commission. FEMA has also been on the
ground, providing $3.75 million in rapid emergency funding from
generators to tree removal and other urgent needs.
I want to also recognize the extraordinary contributions of volunteer
organizations--we certainly feel better when we see them pull up--
including national groups like the Salvation Army, the American Red
Cross, Samaritan's Purse, and Christ In Action, as well as countless
local organizations whose help has been invaluable to our State.
These accolades cannot overshadow the resiliency and kindness of
individual Mississippians who are simply looking out for each other to
overcome yet another natural disaster.
Still, the work is far from finished. I, along with fellow members of
the Mississippi congressional delegation, strongly support Governor
Reeves' request for a major disaster declaration, and we encourage
President Trump to approve it swiftly.
I ask my colleagues and the American people to keep the people of my
State and everyone harmed by Winter Storm Fern in your prayers.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.