Mississippi officials provided an update on the tornado recovery efforts Thursday, with federal support from the Trump administration. Secretary of Emergency Management Markwayne Mullin assured the state that assistance would be provided as needed, following a call arranged by President Donald Trump.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) continues coordinating disaster response, damage assessments, and resource deployment. MEMA is working closely with the Mississippi Civil Defense Emergency Management Association to facilitate mutual aid operations and assist local emergency managers.
Damage assessments indicate that 18 homes have been destroyed, 22 have major damage, 32 have minor damage, and 29 are affected. Thirteen businesses have been impacted, with two destroyed, six sustaining major damage, and five experiencing minor damage. Additionally, seven public roads and four public buildings are damaged across the state.
In Franklin County, MEMA deployed tarps and conducted drone assessments, with damage evaluations expected to conclude later Thursday. The Mississippi Forestry Commission reported 600,000 tons of debris and damage in the Homochitto National Forest. Resource requests have been fulfilled, and damage assessments in Lamar County are complete, with power restoration ongoing.
In Lawrence County, damage assessments are finished, and roadways have reopened. The county’s emergency management agency returned to normal operations. In Lincoln County, crews worked on debris removal, with ongoing support from the Forestry Commission and the State Emergency Operations Center. MEMA completed drone assessments in the area.
The American Red Cross has established a shelter with six occupants. Two points of distribution sites are operational, and a donation center is set to open Monday. State agencies continue coordinating with volunteer organizations to provide shelter, water, food, and other disaster relief services in affected counties.
Officials expressed gratitude to local volunteers and organizations, including Bogue Chitto Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church, the Bogue Chitto Volunteer Fire Department, the Mississippi Baptist Association, Harmony Baptist, the American Red Cross, the United Cajun Navy, The Salvation Army, Mississippi Baptist Relief, and Samaritan’s Purse. They emphasized the resilience and spirit of Mississippi as recovery efforts continue.
