Mississippi is getting more help for Winter Storm Fern recovery efforts.
Gov. Tate Reeves said Friday afternoon that the Trump administration has approved his major disaster declaration request for all counties with verified damage as a result of the historic ice storm that hit two weekends ago. According to President Donald Trump, $39.1 million is being sent to Mississippi to aid in its ongoing response to the weather event.
“I just spoke to the GREAT Governor of Mississippi, Tate Reeves, and told him I am approving $39.1 Million Dollars for the severe winter storm that they just experienced,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I love the people of Mississippi, and won big there three times. We are with you all the way!”
This is not the first round of federal funding Mississippi has received since the storm hit. Last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency sent $3.75 million in “rapid emergency funding” for response efforts. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed Monday afternoon that the agency will work quickly to approve disaster reimbursements and provide financial aid to residents and businesses once full damage reports are submitted by the state.
“With [President Trump’s] approval, Mississippi will be able to continue our response efforts and better help Mississippians recover,” Reeves said. “I am incredibly grateful for President Trump’s friendship, and our entire state is grateful to him for quickly approving my request.”
In the state legislature, the Mississippi Senate unanimously passed a bill that allocates $20 million to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency for storm relief efforts, though the House may reject that proposal in favor of one that gives that relief funding to individual counties and cities.
As of Friday afternoon, 29 deaths had been attributed to Winter Storm Fern in Mississippi, with losses of life being reported in Adams, Alcorn, Benton, DeSoto, Hinds, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leflore, Sharkey, Tippah, Tishomingo, Union, Warren, and Yazoo counties.