PEARL, Miss. (MEMA) – – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency continues to respond to the severe weather events that impacted the state on May 6 and 7, 2026. Preliminary reports of 17 people injured have been reported to MEMA: one in Franklin County, four in Lamar County, and 12 in Lincoln County. No fatalities have been reported. Life safety is the number one priority.
MEMA has received preliminary damage reports from five counties (Franklin, Lamar, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Wilkinson). This number will likely change as we receive official reports from the counties. There are reports of hundreds of homes damaged, roads closed due to debris, and power outages. As of 9:30 this morning, there are 15,643 power outages statewide. Damage assessments will begin today and continue into Friday.
Twp shelters are open for survivors who need a place to go.
- Lamar County Safe Room, 99 Central Industrial Row, Purvis, MS, 39475
- Lincoln County Safe Room, 1154 Belt Line Dr. Brookhaven, MS, 39601
MEMA continues to coordinate response efforts and ensure all citizens’ needs are met. The priorities are to double check structures for people, clear roadways and get a better understanding of the total impact. Multiple volunteer strike teams are out assisting in Lincoln and Franklin counties. MEMA staff are on the ground in counties to assist in command and response activities at the request of local Emergency Managers.
Residents are strongly encouraged not to sightsee in affected areas. Downed power lines, unstable trees, floodwaters, and emergency equipment create dangerous conditions. Unnecessary traffic slows emergency operations and puts both the public and responders at risk.
MEMA encourages residents who’ve sustained damage from this severe weather event to do the following:
- File an insurance claim.
- Take photos of the damage to the home.
- Report damage to county/MEMA via the self-report tool.
If citizens are in need of something as a result of the storms, MEMA encourages them to contact their county emergency management agency. A list of contacts can be found here.
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