Electric cooperatives prepare for winter weather

Published 9:10 am Friday, January 23, 2026

The Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi are preparing for the incoming winter weather for the weekend of Jan. 23 and into the following week.

The electric cooperatives have activated their emergency response plans and began preparations. Those preparations include purchasing and stocking materials, having

additional electric power line crews on standby, and inspecting and fueling vehicles and other equipment as needed.

Winter weather storms are challenging because cold and wet conditions make electric

power restoration difficult. Roadways and travel can be dangerous, and the conditions can be harsh for linemen to work.

“We ask for understanding from our members across the state. Cold, wet weather causes numerous challenges for power restoration, so recovery may be an ongoing, extended event. Our line workers will respond to outages when it is safe to do so.” Electric

Cooperatives of Mississippi CEO Michael Callahand said. “We encourage our members to prepare for the winter weather and possible outages.”

Here are a few ways that members can prepare.

— Water – one gallon per person for three to five days
— Food – enough for each person in your household for three to five days
— Flashlight with extra batteries (no candles)
— Medication on hand
— Gasoline – fill your vehicle’s tank
— Layer your clothing, and have warm socks and blankets available

Safety is a priority for both the public and electric cooperative personnel. Remember these important safety guidelines.

— Never connect a portable generator into the meter or the home’s wiring because this can back feed the power lines, potentially injuring line workers. Connect it directly to the appliances or electronics.

— Beware of downed power lines. If residents encounter a downed line, assume that electricity is flowing and keep a far distance from it. Be very cautious when cutting trees or limbs; make sure that they are not near power lines. Report downed lines to the local electric provider or 911.

If you need to report a power outage, contact your local electric power provider.

The Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi is the unified voice for the 26 electric cooperatives across Mississippi. Collectively, the electric cooperatives serve more than 840,000 homes and businesses across the state.