Rescuers combed through rubble on Saturday after a powerful storm tore across Mississippi late on Friday, killing at least 25 people there and one person in Alabama as it leveled hundreds of buildings and spawned at least one devastating tornado.
U.S. President Joe Biden, on Sunday, issued a "Mississippi Disaster Declaration" following the recent storms that caused major destruction in the area.
The White House released a press statement on the matter.
In part, it reads:
Early Sunday morning, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Mississippi and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes from March 24 to March 25, 2023.
At the time of this writing, reports indicate that at least 25 people have died as a result of the tornado that struck Mississippi on Friday.
Per Reuters:
Rescuers combed through rubble on Saturday after a powerful storm tore across Mississippi late on Friday, killing at least 25 people there and one person in Alabama as it leveled hundreds of buildings and spawned at least one devastating tornado.
In response to the situation, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R), on Saturday, declared a statement of emergency.
I have declared a State of Emergency in the Mississippi counties impacted by last night’s severe storms including tornadoes.
We will marshal every available resource on behalf of our neighbors in need. We’re here for the long haul. pic.twitter.com/yPENOSfZwr
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) March 25, 2023
Reeves also requested assistance from Biden and the federal government. He announced on Saturday that he had submitted a "major disaster declaration" request.
Biden granted that request on Sunday.
The "Disaster Declaration" will, according to the White House, make "federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Carroll, Humphreys, Monroe, and Sharkey."
The White House's press release states:
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
The press release adds, "damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed."
Biden released a statement of his own, saying, "Jill and I are praying for those who have lost loved ones in the devastating tornadoes in Mississippi and those whose loved ones are missing."
