ICE STORM
RESOURCE PAGE
Important: This page will be updated frequently as conditions change and additional resources are released. We encourage you to bookmark it and return for the most current information.
WINTER STORM FERN
DISASTER ASSITANCE DEADLINES
Mississippians impacted by Winter Storm Fern still have time to apply for disaster recovery assistance, but important deadlines are approaching.
MEMA/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers will remain open through June 13, 2026 to provide in-person assistance with disaster recovery applications. Staff at these centers can help applicants upload documents, answer questions, write appeals, resolve technical issues, and complete other parts of the application process.
Applicants may visit anyDisaster Recovery Center for help. The center does not have to be located in the same county where the damaged property is located.
FEMA Assistance
FEMA provides assistance for eligible homeowners and renters affected by Winter Storm Fern.
Application deadline: June 10, 2026
Apply online:disasterassistance.gov
Customer service: 800-621-3362
SBA Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest federal disaster loans to help cover eligible uncompensated losses not covered by FEMA, private insurance, or other sources.
Physical disaster loan deadline: June 10, 2026
Economic Injury Disaster Loan deadline: January 11, 2027
Apply online:lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/?disaster=MS-20018
Customer service: 800-659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
SBA Disaster Loan Program Highlights
SBA disaster loans may help cover eligible recovery costs such as repairs, debris removal, tree work, landscaping, fencing, driveways, decks, sheds, and other disaster-related damage.
Additional program highlights include:
No payments and no interest for the first 12 months
Loan terms of up to 30 years
No application cost and no prepayment penalties
Disaster loans may be used to pay off higher-interest debt incurred for disaster-related repairs
Disaster loans may be used to reimburse eligible repairs paid from savings or retirement accounts
Businesses may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans even if they did not experience physical damage
Applicants for physical disaster loans may be eligible to add up to 20% of verified losses for mitigation
No collateral is required for loans of $50,000 or less
Loans come directly from the U.S. Treasury, not a bank, and the interest rate and terms do not change
Additional Resources (Links):
SBA NEWS RELEASE
UPDATES
May 14 - The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding Mississippi businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners, and renters affected by the January 23–27, 2026 severe winter storm that relief is still available, but the deadline to apply for physical damage loans is approaching. Eligible applicants in the declared primary counties may apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to help repair or replace disaster-damaged property, equipment, inventory, homes, and personal belongings. Businesses and private nonprofits may borrow up to $2 million, homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to repair or replace their primary residence, and homeowners and renters may borrow up to $100,000 to repair or replace personal property. Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of verified physical damages for mitigation improvements that help reduce future storm risks. The deadline to apply for physical property damage loans is June 10, 2026, and the deadline for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is January 11, 2027.
April 14 – The U.S. Small Business Administration announced low-interest federal disaster loans for Mississippi businesses, private nonprofits, and residents following the January 23–27, 2026 severe winter storm, triggered by a presidential disaster declaration issued April 10. The declaration covers dozens of primary counties across Mississippi, making both Physical Disaster Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) available to help repair damaged property and cover working capital needs. Businesses and nonprofits may borrow up to $2 million, while homeowners and renters are also eligible for assistance to repair homes and replace personal property. With favorable interest rates and terms up to 30 years, the program is designed to support long-term recovery efforts across impacted communities.
February 4 - The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced low-interest federal disaster loans for small businesses and private nonprofits in northeast Louisiana following the January 23-25, 2026 severe winter storm, and this declaration also includes several Mississippi counties such as Adams, Claiborne, Issaquena, Jefferson and Warren, making Economic Injury Disaster Loans available to eligible Mississippi-area enterprises and nonprofits to help cover working capital needs caused by the storm. These loans — up to $2 million with favorable terms — can be used for payroll, fixed debts and other operating costs even if physical damage didn’t occur, offering critical support for local recovery efforts in the wake of the historic ice and snow that also impacted parts of Mississippi.
Link: SBA Offers Relief to Louisiana Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by 2026 Severe Winter Storm
BUSINESS CONTINUITY CHECKLIST
Ensure safety first; avoid travel until roads are cleared.
Document all damages with photos, videos, and itemized lists.
Notify your insurance provider as soon as conditions allow.
Track all expenses related to emergency response, temporary operations, or losses.
Assess immediate cash-flow needs (payroll, rent, utilities, vendor obligations).
Contact your Mississippi SBDC counselor for individualized guidance and recovery planning.
Additional federal and state resources, including information from the U.S. Small Business Administration, will be added to this page as they become available. Please check back regularly for updates.
To request counseling, click the button below. Please note that there might be a slight delay in appointments as we work through weather-related disruptions and ensure safe staffing for all centers.