Kuchta Recognized For Winter Storm Fern Relief Efforts
Libby Kuchta (center) receives a resolution of commendation recognizing her volunteer efforts during Winter Storm Fern from Richard Stone, (right) district director for Northern District Mississippi Public Service Commissioner Chris Brown, during the From Recovery to Resilience: Mississippi Storm Preparedness Summit held June 23-24 in Tupelo.
TUPELO — Yalobusha County volunteer Libby Kuchta has been recognized by the Mississippi Public Service Commission for her efforts coordinating disaster relief during Winter Storm Fern.
Kuchta was presented a resolution of commendation during the From Recovery to Resilience: Mississippi Storm Preparedness Summit, held June 23-24 in Tupelo. The recognition was presented by Richard Stone, district director for Northern District Public Service Commissioner Chris Brown.
The summit brought together utility officials, emergency managers and electric cooperative leaders from across Mississippi to review lessons learned from Winter Storm Fern and discuss ways to strengthen disaster preparedness and utility resilience.
The resolution recognizes Kuchta’s service as volunteer liaison for the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department during the January storm. It credits her with contacting the United Cajun Navy, bringing the organization’s relief network to Yalobusha County and helping deliver thousands of winter jackets along with food, bottled water, blankets, gloves and propane to residents in need.
The commission further commended Kuchta’s “initiative and resourcefulness,” stating that her actions made “a direct and lasting impact on the lives of her fellow Yalobusha County residents.”
During Winter Storm Fern, local resources were stretched thin when Kuchta contacted United Cajun Navy Commander Josh Gill seeking outside assistance. Gill later told the North Mississippi Herald that when he asked whether she needed help for her own family, she replied, “My family is the entire county.” Within hours, truckloads of food, bottled water, winter clothing, blankets, gloves, propane and other emergency supplies were headed to Yalobusha County, supporting relief efforts coordinated by the Sheriff’s Department and county emergency management officials.
The summit was organized in response to Winter Storm Fern, which left more than 125,000 Mississippi homes without power. “That can’t be the best we can do. And I don’t believe it is,” Brown said before the event. “That’s why I’m personally inviting you to join me at the From Recovery to Resilience: Mississippi Storm Preparedness Summit, two days dedicated to making sure our communities, our utilities and our local governments are better prepared for whatever the next storm brings.”
