Lafayette County EMA Distributes MREs and Water After Winter Storm Fern

Mississippi National Guard personnel and Oxford Police staffed multiple distribution sites across Lafayette County this week, handing out MREs and bottled water to residents still coping with Winter Storm Fern’s aftermath. A distribution listed at Walmart, 2530 Jackson Ave W in Oxford, ran from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM while supplies lasted, and county listings note distributions are limited to up to three days’ worth per person.

Oxford Police posted on Facebook that distribution operations at several pod sites run from 2:00 to 7:00 PM and urged patience, writing, "Please be patient and kind. These sites are being staffed by the National Guard working hard to serve our community. Supplies are limited, and distribution will continue until supplies run out." The county Emergency Management Agency is coordinating with local water associations and has been providing generators to support water systems where service was interrupted.

Shelter and mass assistance are centered at Lafayette County Elementary School, 71 F.D. Buddy E Pkwy in Oxford, where officials said shelter, food, and water are available and transportation to the shelter can be arranged. Residents in need of transport were directed to contact the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at (662) 234-6421 for assistance.

Critical infrastructure crews continue restoration work after the weekend ice storm. A lineman worked to restore power in Oxford on Jan. 26 following the storm, and the Mississippi Department of Transportation has been clearing icy stretches of Highway 6 while advising emergency travel only. The National Guard’s aviation assets have also been used to support urgent medical transfers, including patients who needed flights to Memphis because state highways remained impacted by ice.

Local nonprofits and faith groups organized under a coalition dubbed "Second Responders" to expand reach beyond the official pods. Oxford Community Market director Betsy Chapman said the grassroots coalition set up more than a dozen distribution points at churches, fire stations, and community centers and brought warm meals to what would have been the first farmers’ market of the season. Chapman said, "We are not an organization: we are simply many, many organizations," and added, "People wept because this is the first time someone got out to them." University of Mississippi public service staffer Laura Martin and partner group More than a Meal helped sustain two weeks of outreach that delivered thousands of meals.

Regional support points remain available for residents crossing county lines for services. Panola County PODs are distributing generators, tarps, MREs, meal kits, baby food, hygiene kits, and water at sites including Courtland Volunteer Fire Department, 536 Main St, Courtland, contact 662-609-2350; Mt. Olivet Fire Department, 6507 Mt. Olivet Road, Batesville, contact 662-934-2124; and Coles Point Volunteer Fire Department, 1270 Sardis Lake Drive, Batesville, contact 662-609-8982. Cleanup assistance can be requested via Team Rubicon at (844) 965-1386 or Mississippi Baptist Disaster Relief at (601) 826-4896.

Lafayette County EMA posted that updated distribution information will be shared tomorrow; officials emphasized supply limits at sites and encouraged residents who can safely travel to use the listed distribution points while supplies remain available.