President Biden has declared a state of emergency in Mississippi to facilitate recovery and clean-up efforts after a series of deadly tornadoes over the weekend. The declaration makes federal funds available for the affected counties across the state.
Multiple tornadoes tore through Mississippi on Friday, resulting in at least 25 fatalities and dozens of injuries.
The devastation extended to Alabama, where one individual lost their life. A particularly destructive tornado traveled 60 miles northeast of Jackson, crossing the state and moving toward Alabama.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency assigned a preliminary EF-4 rating to the tornado, indicating winds ranging from 166 to 200 miles per hour.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves submitted a major disaster declaration request on Saturday, emphasizing the widespread damage and loss. President Biden, who spoke with Governor Reeves and the Mississippi congressional delegation, assured them of full federal support.
The federal emergency declaration enables access to federal funding for temporary housing and home repairs, as well as low-cost loans to address uninsured property losses.
Meanwhile, forecasters have urged residents to prepare for another potential storm on Sunday night. The Mississippi Emergency Management System warned that a large portion of the state might experience severe storms, with the possibility of tornadoes and damaging winds.