Federal officials are weighing in on the water situation in Jackson after Governor Tate Reeves issued a state of emergency on Monday night.
Congressman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., has requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) draft an emergency declaration for President Joe Biden to sign in order to provide adequate resources to help Jackson residents.
“I’ve been advised that the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency will request an emergency declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency imminently,” Thompson said. “I’ve been in contact with both FEMA and the White House about this request and strongly recommend the President approve the declaration as soon as possible. I hope the federal government will be able to provide resources adequate and comprehensive enough to address the health and safety crisis facing the City of Jackson and surrounding communities.”
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre took to Twitter to chronicle what the federal government is already doing to assist people in Mississippi’s capital city, adding that the White House will stand ready to assist further as soon as they receive an official request from the state.
“The city of Jackson is using over $20 million in American Rescue Plan to address water and sewer infrastructure needs, “Jean-Pierre wrote. “We have also made about $75 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding available this year to provide clean and safe water across the state of Mississippi.”
Governor Tate Reeves responded to Jean-Pierre’s statement.
The state has created an incident command center to step in and restore water at the city’s plant. We are sending a request for a federally-declared disaster to support state and city emergencies. Clear communication between locals/state/feds. Please keep Jackson in your prayers! https://t.co/fmTPpqNu10
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) August 30, 2022
The current water crisis in Jackson is the second that Mississippi’s capital city has faced in a span of just 19 months.
