Mississippi Congressional Delegation Urges Biden to Approve Federal Disaster Declaration for Mississippi

The Mississippi congressional delegation today shared their strong support for Governor Tate Reeves’s request for a federal disaster declaration after extreme weather tore across the state in June. If approved, the disaster declaration would unlock additional federal resources to supplement state recovery efforts.

U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Trent Kelly, R-Miss., Michael Guest, R-Miss., and Mike Ezell, R-Miss., sent President Biden a letter endorsing the Governor’s request for a major disaster declaration for the State of Mississippi, and for assistance for Jackson, Jasper, Claiborne, Copiah, Covington, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Rankin, Scott, Simpson, Smith, and Wayne counties.

“In the wake of recent extreme weather that brought severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to the State of Mississippi, we request your full consideration of Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves’s request for a federal disaster declaration,” the lawmakers wrote.

The letter follows a preliminary disaster assessment which highlights the extent of loss of life, injuries, and damage.

“Available resources from state and local governments and volunteer organizations are inadequate to meet the state’s recovery needs. Significant federal assistance and cooperation are needed for Mississippi to rebuild,” the lawmakers wrote.

See the full letter here or below.

Dear President Biden, 

In the wake of recent extreme weather that brought severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to the State of Mississippi, we request your full consideration of Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves’s request for a federal disaster declaration. 

We appreciate the efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help Mississippians recover in the aftermath of the severe tornadoes that struck the state in March and April, and we anticipate expeditious support from the agency in assisting state and local officials as they continue assessing the severity of damages. 

Initial damage reports indicate Mississippi experienced severe weather from June 14 through 19, 2023, including an EF-2 tornado with 130 MPH winds. As Governor Reeves requested, the Joint Public Assistance damage assessments demonstrate that at least 380 homes, businesses, and other structures were destroyed or suffered significant damage. 

This declaration includes a request for individual assistance for Jackson and Jasper Counties. Additionally, it contains a request for public assistance to assist local governments primarily with debris removal in Claiborne, Copiah, Covington, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Rankin, Scott, Simpson, Smith, and Wayne Counties. 

Available resources from state and local governments and volunteer organizations are inadequate to meet the state’s recovery needs. Significant federal assistance and cooperation are needed for Mississippi to rebuild. 

Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort.