Debris cleanup from Winter Storm Fern complete in one of the three affected districts

Debris cleanup from Winter Storm Fern.

Key points

• During the August 25 session of the Mississippi Transportation Commission, two supplemental agreements for two of those contracts were approved.
• While True North was hired to provide the service in District 2, debrisTech LLC is overseeing the work in District 3.
• General Atomics confirmed second expansion this year, bringing 125 more jobs to Shannon.
• Mississippi coach Pete Golding intends to eradicate erratic play in Week 2 against Charlotte.
• Debris cleanup from Winter Storm Fern complete in one of the three affected districts.

Debris cleanup from Winter Storm Fern complete in one of the three affected districts. By: Jeremy Pittari – September 11, 2026.

In this photo from May of this year, crews remove debris from roads created by Winter Storm Fern. (Photo courtesy of MDOT).

Extensions were required for the ongoing cleanup work in Districts 1 and 2.

Monitoring services related to the removal of debris left by Winter Storm Fern are increasing, but the Mississippi Department of Transportation expects to be reimbursed for the related expense.

Fern blanketed the north Mississippi region in ice and snow for days in late January, causing significant debris from downed trees.

In practice, the first rose the contract with DebrisTech LLC out of Picayune from $1.2 million to $2.2 million, and the second climbed the contract with True North Emergency Management LLC out of Jackson from $5.9 million to $7.8 million.

Commissioner John Caldwell (R) asked why the contracts for the work was increasing by so much.

MDOT Executive Director Brad White remarked the contracts are for monitoring services to ensure the contractors doing the actual removal of debris are cutting what is supposed to be cut and performing work that can be reimbursed by the federal administration through FEMA.

"As we got into this, the amount of debris that was needing to be removed for safety reasons as well as just on the side of the highways was much greater than what the quantities came in at, and so the time had to be extended, " White described during the session.

White remarked he believes there is a better way to prepare going forward, such as having contracts in place before storms strike. Doing so would put MDOT in a better position when negotiating rates.

"So, it's certainly not lost on me that there is much room for improvement and I do think that we've identified that and we are having conversations that I hope to bring back to the commission with a different approach that can be used in the future, " White remarked.

"It's like we're rewarding some people who haven't done a great job with a pretty pricey addendum, " Commissioner Caldwell observed. "So, I got a little issue with that."

Magnolia Tribune reached out to MDOT for further information on the matter. In an emailed response, MDOT remarked the state agency had enlisted the services of three businesses to oversee the debris removal work in response to Winter Storm Fern. Along with the other two firms listed above, MDOT additionally hired Thompson Engineering to oversee debris removal work in District 1. As stated by MDOT in the emailed response, thompson Engineering's contract is at present at $2.88 million.

In practice, a request for the initial bids for all three contracts did not garner a response from MDOT by press time.

David Kenney, Public Information Officer for the Northern Division, remarked that "debris monitoring services provide specialized oversight of disaster debris removal to ensure federal compliance, accurate documentation and efficient federal funding and reimbursements."

For context, the extra expense, authorities stated, is the result of the "enormity" of the damage caused by Fern, leading to more debris being continued to initial totals. This has resulted in a number of contracts requiring extensions, including the monitoring services.

"It is common and expected in natural disasters for monitoring services to increase debris amounts from the initial assessment, " Kenney replied in the email. "One example is since the storm damage was done in the winter months, numerous limbs that may have been damaged were bare. When they don't grow leaves and are deemed dead and will have to be removed.", their need for removal may not be apparent until spring and summer months.

Kenney continued that work to remove debris in District 3 is now complete. Nevertheless, work continues in the other two affected districts.

"But operations continue in Districts 1 and 2. They anticipate cleanup in those districts to conclude in early November, at which time we will have a total amount of the cost of debris monitoring and the cleanup, " Kenney remarked. "MDOT's debris monitoring for winter storm Fern has been massive, where we had over 180 debris monitoring personnel working on a single day in one district."

Full reimbursement is projected to come from FEMA for both the debris monitoring services and cleanup work, along with any debris removal costs incurred by MDOT's maintenance crews. Regarding the Author(s).

Jeremy Pittari is a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast. Born and raised in Slidell, La., he moved to South Mississippi in the early 90s. Jeremy earned an associate in arts from Pearl River Community College and went on to attend the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned a bachelor's of arts in journalism. A week after Hurricane Katrina, he began an internship as a reporter with the community newspaper in Pearl River County. After graduation, he accepted a full-time position at that news outlet where he covered the recovery process post Katrina in Pearl River and Hancock Counties. For almost 17 years he wrote concerning local administration, education, law enforcement, crime, business and a variety of other topics. Email Jeremy: [email protected].

News Magnolia Tribune September 11, 2026. Magnolia Mornings: September 11, 2026.

Significant state and national stories, market and business news, sports and entertainment, delivered in quick-hit fashion to start your day informed. More From This Author. News Jeremy Pittari September 10, 2026.

Redistricting hearing at Alcorn State draws backing for continued apply of racially gerrymandered legislative, congressional districts. News Jeremy Pittari September 9, 2026.

Transportation commissioner, MDOT executive director clash over funding, Horn Lake stop light. News Jeremy Pittari September 8, 2026. IHL conference intends to overcome challenges, foster expansion in Mississippi. News Frank Corder September 11, 2026. Secretary of State clarifies Mississippi elected office vote requirements.

Elections Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press, Michelle L. Cost, Associated Press September 10, 2026.

Trump wants to create this midterm year 'special' to avoid losing Republican control of Congress.

Republicans are imploring voters to consider the GOP accomplishments. They warn of what's coming if Democrats seize power. News Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press September 10, 2026.

U.S. Wholesale rates rise in latest sign of stubborn inflation as oil costs continue to climb.

Inflation has shown some signs of easing in recent months but is still high, frustrating consumers who are struggling with more expensive gas, groceries, clothing and other essentials. News Cass Rutledge September 11, 2026. PEER points to reservations with MAGCOR, MDOC reporting. News Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press September 11, 2026.

U.S. Inflation picked up as gas rates marched higher due to conflict in the Middle East. News Jennifer Peltz, Associated Press September 11, 2026. U.S. Marks 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks. Business Frank Corder September 10, 2026.

General Atomics confirmed second expansion this year, bringing 125 more jobs to Shannon. Business Frank Corder September 10, 2026.

C Spire expanding fiber network with new high-capacity corridor between Jackson and Olive Branch. Business Frank Corder September 9, 2026. Mayo Clinic Laboratories investing $30 million, creating 234 jobs in Southaven. Culture Chris Burrows, Associated Press September 11, 2026.

Mississippi coach Pete Golding intends to eradicate erratic play in Week 2 against Charlotte. Culture Alistair Begg September 11, 2026. Culture Brett Martel, Associated Press September 10, 2026.

SEC not projected to vote on LSU's membership this week, AP source states. Opinion Merle Flowers September 10, 2026. Mississippi does not have pharmacies to spare. Opinion Grant Callen September 10, 2026. What I'm looking for in Mississippi's next governor. Opinion Delbert Hosemann September 9, 2026. Senator Cochran was right on timber.

For now, debris cleanup from Winter Storm Fern complete in one of the three remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.