Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas pledged support from the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to Mississippi to survey damage from recent tornadoes.
Mayorkas and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell visited the area with state and local officials and confirmed President Joe Biden's approval of Mississippi's request for an expedited major disaster declaration, according to a March 26 news release. This will help make disaster assistance available to supplement recovery efforts.
“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 release. “In disasters like this, there are no strangers: 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.”
The federal disaster declaration authorizes federal assistance to disaster survivors in Humphreys, Carroll, Monroe and Sharkey counties, the release said. The assistance may include grants for recovery efforts such as temporary housing and home repairs, low-interest loans and crisis counseling.
Joining Mayorkas and Criswell were Gov. Tate Reeves, Sen. Roger Wicker and Rep. Bennie Thompson for an operational briefing on the damage and response efforts by Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the release said.
U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Rolling Fork Mayor Eldridge Walker were among officials who surveyed damage in the Rolling Fork area, according to the release. During the visit they also shared their appreciation for the Army National Guard who assisted with the efforts.
“FEMA is here. We remain committed to the people of Mississippi,” Criswell said in the release. “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.”
Federal support can be accessed at www.disasterassistance.gov or 1-800-621-FEMA. FEMA also will deploy mobile disaster recovery centers to affected areas. Teams will visit shelters and neighborhoods to help survivors register for FEMA assistance, the release said.
“Free crisis counseling services are also available for survivors in the affected areas. These services are available 24 hours a day by calling 800-985-5990 or by visiting www.SAMHSA.gov,” the release said.
