Winter Storm Fern – Ice grips the Delta

Winter Storm Fern rippled through north Mississippi and beyond. Ice — not cotton — defined Leland in January.  “Some say the world will end in ice.” — Robert Frost, Fire and Ice (1920)

Ice damage from Winter Storm Fern surrounds power lines as crews from Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association assist Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association with restoration efforts on Jan. 26. Linemen worked in hazardous conditions as ice weighed down lines and equipment across the region.

by Guest Columnist Gaila T. Oliver

Remembering 1994

In response to the question of which ice storm was worse, this is my perception: 1994 was absolutely a catastrophe—possibly the worst disaster in our state’s history. The rotten trees on the creek and throughout town were on top of everything. Leland thankfully spent the last year trimming trees all over town, much to the chagrin of residents. Thank goodness they did. The power company changed out poles in the county over the last few years. Thank goodness they did.

I worked at City Hall taking all phone calls and directing Joe Melton where the threat was greatest, and my husband operated a trackhoe helping clear the mess. The fear of electrocution from stepping on wires in yards was constant.

No one stocked up on food and other essentials. We had no electricity for weeks. We all gathered at my mother’s house, because she had a gas kitchen, as well as an electric one. At night, we cooked for the work crews. No one had generators. We had very little food and supplies. Food in freezers was ruined after a couple weeks. Toilets had to be scooped out, and five-gallon buckets of waste removed daily.

On the other hand, it was the most memorable time of my life.

All of our families got together and moved from house to house, pulling limbs and cutting trees. We worked hard, helping each other 10–12 hours a day, and my mother had food ready for 20–30 every night. Men, women, and children all pitched in, and we got it done.