When the Power Went Out, the Community Showed Up

Over the past several days, Tishomingo County has been dealing with one of the most severe ice storms we’ve seen in years. Thousands of homes are still without power. Temperatures have stayed well below freezing. For many families, basic necessities—heat, hot water, a place to charge a phone—have been hard to come by.

At Iuka Sports Academy, we decided early on that if our doors could help, they would stay open.

A Place to Warm Up, Clean Up, and Regroup

In roughly the last 60 hours, ISA has provided nearly 400 hot showers to members and non-members alike. We only have three showers, so we limited usage to 15 minutes per person to make sure as many people as possible could get relief. Folks have been patient, respectful, and grateful—exactly what you’d expect from this community.

Several families have stayed overnight, sleeping in tents and blow-up mattresses inside the facility. Others have come simply to get warm, sit down for a while, or charge phones so they can stay in contact with family and employers.

No sign-ups. No questions asked. If you needed help, you were welcome.

Powered by People

None of this happens without people stepping up.

Our staff has been incredible—showing up long hours, adapting on the fly, and doing whatever needed to be done. Cleaning, coordinating, answering questions, helping families settle in. Quiet leadership. Real work.

This is exactly why ISA exists. We’re not just a gym or a sports facility—we’re part of the fabric of this town.

What’s Next

As the outage continues and crews work around the clock to restore power, we’re not slowing down.

Tomorrow (Jan 29th) around lunchtime, we’ll be hosting a shrimp boil for:

• ISA members

• The community at large

• The power company crews and workers who are still out in these conditions trying to get the lights back on

It’s a small way to say thank you—and to remind people they’re not dealing with this alone.

We’re Here for the Long Haul

This storm won’t be the last challenge our area faces. But if the past few days have proven anything, it’s that community still matters—and when resources are shared, everyone does better.

As long as the need is there and it’s safe to do so, ISA will continue to open its doors, offer support, and do what we can for the people who make this place home.

If you need warmth, a shower, a charge, or just a place to catch your breath—we’re here.