Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re well aware that a historic winter storm recently pummeled Mississippi with ice and snow. The effects of the storm were felt across the state, as ice was reported on roads in 74 of Mississippi’s 82 counties! Surprisingly, this isn’t the first time Mississippi has experienced such a severe winter storm; however, it has been quite some time…25 years to be exact. Read on to learn more about these two history-making storms that Mississippians will no doubt remember for years to come.

Just like the 2021 winter storm, the 1996 ice storm was big news.


During the Ice Storm of 1996, which hit on February 1st – 2nd, ice accumulated on trees and powerlines, causing power outages throughout the state.
Ed Blake/Mississippi Department of Archives and History
In the worst-hit areas, outages lasted for a few days to a week. The ice storm was followed by an Arctic blast, which caused temperatures to plummet into the teens! Furthermore, the wind chill values were well below zero. The Director of MEMA at the time said, "70% to 80% of the state had been affected by this storm, with icy conditions present in a 100-mile wide area through the central part of the state."
Much like the Ice Storm of 1996, the 2021 winter storm pummeled the state with snow and ice.
Matt Nichols, Contributed Photo

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The temperatures were below freezing in most of the state, and on February 16th, the temperature dropped to 22 degrees in Gulfport and Biloxi, making it the coldest Mardi Gras the Mississippi Gulf Coast has seen in 121 years.
Joshua Bowen, Contributed Photo
Widespread power outages is another similarity between the two storms.
Mississippi Power/Facebook
It’s estimated that at least 250,000 residents lost power at some point. What’s more, water service has been interrupted in dozens of cities and towns across the state.
Due to the recent icy conditions, several highways and interstates closed and hundreds of schools and colleges canceled classes.
Visit Mississippi/Facebook
Despite the efforts, police responded to "thousands of weather-related traffic accidents," according to the MDOT.

Brrrr! I don’t know about you, but I get chilly just thinking about these two winter storms. Were you around for the ice storm of 1996? If so, how do you think the recent storm measures up? Tell us in the comments section.

These aren’t Mississippi’s only history-making winter storms. A severe ice storm hit the state in 1994, too.

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