One federal official representing Mississippi is optimistic that the White House will soon send financial assistance to areas of the state impacted by a tornado outbreak in May.
After speaking with newly-minted U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar during a Senate subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) was given positive news. Hyde-Smith was told by both officials that President Donald Trump had approved a major disaster declaration request from Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves for Franklin, Lamar, Lawrence, Lincoln, and Wilkinson counties following a series of tornadoes on March 6-7 that pillaged the region.
All that remains in the process of getting much-needed aid to Mississippians is a final assessment of the request, so that officials will know how much money needs to be doled out.
“My understanding is that we’re still working with the state to do the final assessment,” Mullin told Hyde-Smith during the meeting. “We know the declaration has been made by the governor. We know the president did accept that declaration, but now we’re looking at what the cost is for our funding to actually reimburse for public assistance.”
The positive feedback follows a letter Mississippi’s entire congressional delegation penned to the White House, urging the president to approve Reeves’ request.
As for the storm, eight tornadoes touched down in Mississippi, injuring 26 people and damaging or destroying more than 425 homes and businesses.