Preparedness Helped Bring Solutions to Mississippi in Winter Storm Fern

By:  Ryan Silvey – Dir. Of National Regulatory Affairs, Great River/Central States Water Resources (CSWR)

When severe winter weather swept across Mississippi—bringing ice, freezing rain, and widespread power outages—our communities faced dangerous conditions and significant disruption. In moments like these, essential services matter most.

While much of northern Mississippi was without electrical power during Winter Storm Fern, every Great River water and wastewater system remained operational. That continuity was not accidental. It was the result of preparation, investment, and the unwavering commitment of the men and women who serve our customers every day.

Eight of our systems are located in some of the hardest-hit areas, including DeSoto, Lafayette, Lee, Tate, Tishomingo, Union, Panola, and Yalobusha counties. As the storm approached, we mobilized additional personnel from central Mississippi, Hattiesburg, and the Gulf Coast, assembling a response team of more than 20 employees to support operations in the north.

Our crews worked around the clock in extreme temperatures. They cleared fallen trees from roadways, navigated hazardous travel conditions, and ensured every system had the staffing and resources needed to continue operating. Along the way, they assisted stranded motorists and supported fellow utility workers—because that is what neighbors do in Mississippi.

Many of our employees left their own families at home in difficult conditions to ensure other families had safe, reliable water. That level of dedication speaks volumes about who they are – and who they represent.

At Great River, we operate under a structured 5-Stage Emergency Storm Response Protocol designed to ensure rapid mobilization, defined roles, and disciplined execution. We emphasize preparation because water and wastewater systems depend on electricity—and power loss during severe weather can quickly become a public health issue if not managed properly.

In 2025, we completed installation of new generators at all Great River water system locations statewide, along with upgraded electrical and control systems to stabilize plant operations during major weather events. Only three facilities in the storm-affected region were still awaiting permanent generators; temporary units were staged at those sites before the storm made landfall. Permanent installations are already scheduled as part of our 2026 capital improvement plan.

Because of those investments, total outage time across affected facilities was less than 10 hours and limited to two systems in Panola County—both of which required crews to clear ice-covered roads before safely accessing manual-start generators. These were the only two systems that required storm-related Boil Water Advisories, and both were lifted within 48 hours after testing confirmed water quality met all safety standards.

We also coordinated fuel logistics across state lines to keep generators and service vehicles operating when many local stations were closed or inaccessible. Relief crews and fuel support were deployed strategically to ensure uninterrupted service.

Storms test infrastructure. More importantly, they test preparation and people.

This winter event demonstrated both the resilience of our systems and the character of our employees. I am deeply grateful for their professionalism, sacrifice, and commitment to the communities we serve.

Prior to joining Great River’s parent company, CSWR, I had the opportunity to regulate them as the Chairman of Missouri’s PSC. In that role, I saw how many utilities struggled to respond to emergencies and have been particularly impressed at how Great River handles adversity. Our mission is simple but critical: to provide safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible water and wastewater services to every community we serve—365 days a year. That mission does not pause for ice storms or power outages.

When Mississippi needed us, our team delivered.

And we will continue investing, preparing, and standing ready—because our customers deserve nothing less.