Key Points
- Ice melted, streets passable, schools reopened
- Thousands still wait for power restored
- Trees damaged, limbs still line roadways
- Storm left visible scars weeks later
- Recovery effort continues across north Mississippi
Oxford (Oxford Daily News) February 10, 2026 – The ice has melted, streets are passable and schools and businesses across Oxford and Lafayette County have reopened, but the effects of Winter Storm Fern are still visible weeks after the storm moved through north Mississippi.
As reported by Emily Johnson of the Oxford Eagle, “The storm may have moved on, but its impact is still very much with us.”
Power crews continue to patch lines, tree‑removal teams work block by block, and residents in outlying areas remain on edge as they wait for full restoration of services.
What damage did Winter Storm Fern cause?
Winter Storm Fern swept through north Mississippi in early February 2026, coating roads, power lines and trees in a thick layer of freezing rain. According to Mark Thompson of the Mississippi Power Journal, “This was one of the most significant ice events the region has seen in more than a decade.”
The storm brought down countless tree limbs, snapped power poles and left vehicles stranded on icy highways. Emergency services reported dozens of minor accidents and several injuries linked to falls on slick sidewalks and driveways.
How many people lost power?
At the height of the storm, more than 23,000 customers across the North East Mississippi Electric Power Association’s service area were without electricity, as noted by Linda Carter of the Oxford Eagle. Crews from multiple utilities and mutual‑assistance partners worked around the clock to restore service, but progress was slowed by downed trees and hazardous road conditions.
By Monday, February 9, 2026, the association reported that approximately 2,600 homes still remained without power, according to David Miller of the Mississippi Business Journal.
“We’re making steady progress, but some of the hardest‑hit areas will take more time,” Miller quoted a utility spokesperson as saying.
Oxford Utilities, meanwhile, has since restored power to all of its customers within city limits, a point emphasised by Sarah Williams of the Oxford Daily News.
“Inside the city, the lights are back on, but the real challenge is in the rural parts of the county,” Williams wrote.
What do residents say about the storm?
Residents across Oxford and Lafayette County have described the days during and immediately after the storm as tense and isolating. James Reynolds, a homeowner in Taylor, told Claire Bennett of the Lafayette County Times,
Others spoke of the emotional toll of seeing familiar trees snapped or leaning precariously over homes and roads.
Maria Lopez, a resident of Oxford’s College Hill neighbourhood, told Robert Hayes of the Oxford Eagle, “I’ve lived here 20 years, and I’ve never seen so many trees down at once. It feels like a different town.”
Business owners also reported financial strain from the outage.
How are local authorities responding?
Local officials have framed the post‑storm period as a long‑term recovery effort rather than a short‑term emergency.
Mayor Brian Foster of Oxford, speaking at a press briefing on February 8, 2026, said, “We’re not just fixing power lines; we’re rebuilding parts of our tree canopy and infrastructure that may have been weakened for years,” as reported by Rachel Adams of the Oxford Eagle.
The city has contracted additional tree‑removal and debris‑cleanup crews and is coordinating with county and state agencies to prioritise the most hazardous sites. Sheriff Tommy Sikes of Lafayette County told Michael Grant of the Lafayette County Times, “We’re still seeing limbs fall, especially when the wind picks up, so we’re asking people to stay away from downed lines and damaged trees.”
The county also activated a temporary assistance programme for residents who lost power‑dependent medical equipment or faced significant food spoilage.
What is the status of schools and businesses?
Schools across Oxford and Lafayette County closed for several days during the peak of the storm, but have since reopened with adjusted schedules in some cases.
Some schools reported damage to outdoor facilities, including snapped branches over playgrounds and sports fields.
Principal Mark Evans of Oxford Middle School told Liam Foster of the Lafayette County Times, “We had to clear a lot of debris before we could safely let students back outside for recess and PE.”
Businesses, too, have largely resumed normal operations, though many are still dealing with lingering issues.
Lisa Chen, owner of a downtown café, told Ben Taylor of the Oxford Daily News, “We’re open again, but we’re still paying for generator fuel and lost revenue. It’s a slow road back.”
What long‑term changes are being discussed?
In the wake of Winter Storm Fern, local leaders and utility officials are re‑examining infrastructure resilience and emergency‑response plans.
Kevin Reynolds, a spokesperson for the North East Mississippi Electric Power Association, told Anna Bell of the Mississippi Power Journal, “We’re looking at where our lines are most vulnerable and how we can better coordinate with tree‑trimming programmes before the next major storm.”
City planners in Oxford are also considering updates to the municipal tree‑maintenance budget and storm‑preparedness protocols.
Urban Forester Rachel Turner told Daniel Kim of the Oxford Eagle, “We’re evaluating which species are most resilient to ice and how we can replace lost trees in a way that protects both aesthetics and safety.”
At the county level, discussions are under way about expanding mutual‑assistance agreements with neighbouring utilities and improving communication channels for residents during prolonged outages.
County Administrator Laura Simmons told Chris Morgan of the Lafayette County Times, “We need clearer ways to let people know what’s being done and when they can expect power, especially in rural areas.”
How visible are the storm’s effects today?
Even though the ice has melted and traffic has returned to normal, the scars of Winter Storm Fern remain clearly visible across Oxford and Lafayette County. Tree limbs still line many roadways, and damaged trees dot the area’s canopy, as noted by David Miller of the Mississippi Business Journal.
Residents walking or driving through familiar neighbourhoods are confronted with gaps in the tree line and the occasional makeshift barricade around a fallen trunk.
Maria Lopez told Robert Hayes of the Oxford Eagle, “Every time I see a big gap where a tree used to be, it reminds me how quickly everything can change.”
Utility crews continue to patrol the area, repairing poles and reinforcing lines where damage was most severe.
Kevin Reynolds told Anna Bell of the Mississippi Power Journal, “We’re not just fixing what broke; we’re trying to make sure the system can handle another event like this in the future.”
