In Mississippi, bad weather usually comes in the form of hurricanes or tornadoes. However, in 1994, the state experienced inclement weather of another kind – an ice storm. Dubbed the “Southern Ice Storm,” the blizzard pelted the South with immense amounts of ice, causing extensive damage in 11 states.Though more than two decades have passed since the storm, it’s sure to be remembered for decades to come. Currently, it is remembered as the largest blizzard in Mississippi history.

Considered "the second worst ice storm in history," the Southern Ice Storm hit the South February 9-13, 1994.
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The storm struck with virtually no warning. In fact, at around midnight on February 9th, temperatures were around 70 degrees in the Mississippi Delta!
When all was said and done, it caused $3 billion dollars in damage in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.
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Of all the states impacted, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama were hit the hardest.
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The Delta region of Mississippi was severely affected, which is why the storm is sometimes referred to as "The 1994 Delta Ice Storm."
The vast amount of ice brought by the storm caused more than 80,000 utility poles to collapse, leaving more than 2 million people without power.
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Three days after the storm, a half a million people were still without power because it was basically impossible for utility companies to keep up with the falling lines and snapping poles. At the time, the main goal was to ensure hospitals, nursing homes, and emergency services had electricity.

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In Mississippi alone, 200,000 people lost electricity. Many residents lost water, too.
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And despite crews working up to 16 hours a day in Mississippi, many residents didn't regain electric service for several weeks following the storm.
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In addition to utility poles, the ice brought down countless trees and limbs, causing widespread damage to homes and businesses.
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The downed trees and limbs also made travel nearly impossible.
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Residents of the Delta began to see a relief from the icy conditions on February 11th, when temperatures warmed to slightly above freezing. By the following day, the temperature reached the 40s, allowing the ice to fully begin to thaw.

Get more chilling details about the storm in the video below:

So, do you remember this ice storm as the largest blizzard in Mississippi? Have a story to share about those chilly days in February of 1994? Tell us in the comments section!

Read about another historic catastrophe, which will never be forgotten in “A Terrifying, Deadly Storm Struck Mississippi In 1936… And No One Saw It Coming.“

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Largest Blizzard In Mississippi

Nikki Rhoades | December 22, 2019

When was the biggest blizzard in Mississippi?

The Magnolia State is typically something of a paradise. Our incredible humid subtropical climate leads to long, warm summers that locals and visitors alike can’t help but indulge in. However, some of the biggest snowstorms in Mississippi have left locals chilled to the core. The Mississippi blizzard of 1899 was one of the most shocking in recent history, dropping temperatures in the state down to -15 °Fahrenheit. The storm impacted everywhere from Canada to Cuba, leaving North America in a state of shock that lingered for years to come. Snow has even fallen in recent years, as 2017 proved. Nonetheless, many continue to consider the 1899 snowfall to be the worst storm in modern Mississippi history.

What is the most snow ever recorded in Mississippi?

Though snowfall is not a regularity throughout Mississippi, there have been moments in history that have left locals frozen to the core. The New Year's Eve snowstorm of 1963 was the worst in the south since the blizzard of 1899, dropping 15 inches on Meridian in that shocking event. During that same snowfall, Mt. Pleasant accumulated 18 inches in just 24 hours. Now that is a lot of snow! Nonetheless, this record could be broken at any time – wintertime in Mississippi always has the potential to surprise residents!

What is winter weather in Mississippi typically like?

The Southeast is not particularly known for its brutal winters, although winter weather in Mississippi can become rather unpredictable. Typically, our lovely state enjoys temperate weather all year round, rarely falling below freezing in the winter months. However, the northern portions of the state do occasionally see snow. Corinth in the northeast portion of the state set the record for the coldest temperature ever experienced in Mississippi: -19 °Fahrenheit! That was recorded in 1966, just after the infamous New Year's Eve snowstorm of 1963. What a chilly, chilly decade!

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