JACKSON, Miss.--A State of Emergency has been declared in eight Mississippi counties affected by storms on Christmas Day. Governor Phil Bryant issued the declaration Tuesday afternoon as damage reports came in.

The counties immediately affected include Forrest, Greene, Hinds, Jones, Lawrence, Pearl River, Stone and Wilkinson. The declaration also includes all counties affected by Tuesday's severe weather event, according to the Miss. Emergency Management Agency website.

MEMA said the declaration is an administrative tool that allows the state to assist the affected counties.