The audio version of this story is AI generated and is not human reviewed. It may contain errors or inaccuracies. Snow and ice left widespread damage across northern Mississippi as a massive storm moved across large parts of the U.S., creating dangerous travel conditions. Trees split open and droppe d heavy branches, and power lines crashed down in some areas. Though the biggest damage was in the northern part of the state, areas as far south as Natchez saw icy conditions. A fallen tree blocks a road in Natchez on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, after a winter storm brought snow and ice to Mississippi. Credit: Courtesy of Toni Martin About 10% of Mississippi customers were without electrical service at midday Sunday, and the hardest-hit areas were in the northern part of the state, according to the tracking site poweroutage.us.  “The situation is expected to get worse before it gets better,” Gov. Tate Reeves said, warning that restoring power could take days. Like many other Oxford residents, Lee Ragland said he and his wife, Jana, were without power Sunday. He said some trees and large limbs fell in their yard, but luckily none had hit their house. “Laid in bed last night listening to transformers blow and trees snapping and falling up and down street,” Lee Ragland said in a text message. “Not a good feeling. Now need to find a chainsaw crew to clear my driveway.” Damage from an ice storm in Oxford on Sunday, January 25, 2026, where freezing rain and sleet caused limbs, trees and power lines to fall, knocking out power to thousands. Credit: Bruce Newman Holly Springs resident Pat Stubbs said his home lost power Saturday night, and trees were down all around his neighborhood. “I’ve got gas logs and a gas stove and oven. I’m better off than most,” Stubbs said Sunday. “Looks like it’s gonna be a few days before all this melts.” In Clarksdale, Shawn Thomas-Erving said Sunday he helped six people who were stuck in the storm Saturday evening, including law enforcement. He said he used a shovel to get tires out of areas thickly blanketed with snow and ice.  Thomas-Erving said afterward that he was tired, but “I felt like it was my duty.” He said wintry conditions haven’t been this bad in Clarksdale since the early 2000s. He described the situation Sunday as “unbearable,” with cars still sliding and getting stuck. Snow around Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. Credit: Courtesy of Myles Forrest Lafayette County, home to Oxford, had about 20,000 customers without electricity at midday Sunday, about 75% of the customers in that county. Lee County, home to Tupelo, had nearly 13,000 customers without electricity, about 35%. Reeves said power outages were expected to increase as ice accumulates and trees continue to fall. Tippah Electric Power Association reported that TVA, one of the largest power providers in northeast Mississippi, had “catastrophic damage” to one of its main distribution lines “and because of that, it could be a lengthy time before they are able to get power to every customer,” Reeves said. Damage from an ice storm in Oxford on Sunday, January 25, 2026, where freezing rain and sleet caused limbs, trees and power lines to fall, knocking out power to thousands. Credit: Bruce Newman Jackson firefighters extinguished flames Saturday night at what was supposed to be a vacant building at Chapel Ridge apartments. The Jackson Fire Department’s chief investigator, Charles Felton, said the building was being used by people “without permanent housing.” Oxford Mayor Robbyn Tannehill said on social media Sunday that crews were working to clear streets for emergency vehicles. She implored people to remain home and to stay away from downed power lines. “It looks dire right now, I know, but Oxford’s a community that takes care of each other and comes together when things are most challenging,” Tannehill said. “And this challenge will be no different.” The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Saturday night that President Donald Trump has approved an emergency declaration for Mississippi for this winter storm, which allows federal financial assistance for recovery. ...read more read less