Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Deanne Criswell, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, visited Mississippi in the wake of devastating tornadoes that struck the region March 24, to assess the damage and meet with officials.
“It is inspiring to see people, not just the people in Mississippi, but the people of this country, assisting those in such dire need," Mayorkas said in the DHS press release issued March 26.
"In disasters like this, there are no strangers," Mayorkas said, "everyone comes together, everyone is a neighbor, everyone is family. They cannot do it alone, and the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA will be here as long as it takes. The entire federal family is here to support these communities,”
Mississippi’s request for an accelerated major disaster declaration was granted by President Joe Biden, opening up federal disaster assistance to support recovery operations, the release reports.
The proclamation permits the federal government to provide aid to Carroll, Humphreys, Monroe and Sharkey counties' disaster survivors. Assistance may come in the form of low-interest loans, crisis counseling, subsidies for home improvements and temporary lodging, as well as other initiatives to aid in the recovery process.
Gov. Tate Reeves (R) invited Mayorkas, Criswell, Sen. Roger Wicker (R), and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D) to a briefing on tornado damage and disaster response activities from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, according to the release. The officials, along with Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R), Rolling Fork, Miss., Mayor Eldridge Walker and other local authorities, assessed the damage in the region and expressed their gratitude to the National Guard Armory's first responders.
“FEMA is here," Criswell said. "We remain committed to the people of Mississippi. We will be here for you now, we will be with you next week, we will be here long after these cameras are gone to make sure we are assisting you with all your recovery needs."
