Nearly six weeks after 18 tornadoes devasted 25 counties in Mississippi, killing seven and injuring dozens more, the state has still not heard from the White House whether federal assistance will be provided.
Governor Tate Reeves officially requested individual and public FEMA assistance from 20 counties across the state on April 1, citing the need for federal support alongside state and local efforts.
But 24 days after the request was made, it still awaits the signature of President Donald Trump.
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency officials issued the following statement to SuperTalk Mississippi News on Thursday:
“MEMA has submitted all of our damage assessments and necessary paperwork and documentation to FEMA and await the agency’s response. Governor Tate Reeves’ request for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for counties affected by the March 14-15 severe weather and tornadoes was submitted April 1. During that time, the state experiences 18 tornadoes, severe storms, flooding, and straight-line winds. Seven deaths were attributed to those storms. 14 counties are seeking Individual Assistance, 17 counties are seeking Public Assistance.”
Across the Mississippi River, the same line of severe weather decimated the state of Arkansas, killing three and dealing widespread damage. FEMA denied assistance to the state however, prompting Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, congressional leaders, and other state officials to plead with the Trump administration to reconsider.
“As Governor Sanders noted in her request, these storms caused catastrophic damage across the state, resulting in disastrous amounts of debris, widespread destruction to homes and businesses, the deaths of three Arkansans, and injuries to many more,” the state’s congressional delegation wrote in an April 21 letter to President Trump. “Given the cumulative impact and sheer magnitude of destruction from these severe weather events, federal assistance is vital to ensure that state and local communities have the capabilities needed to rebuild.”
Recovery and restoration efforts wear on in Mississippi as survivors await word on whether they will receive further help.
