U.S. Senators Thad Cochran, Roger Wicker, and Congressman Steven Palazzo said they are ready to work with federal and state agencies to ensure a strong response following the landfall of Hurricane Nate.
The lawmakers encouraged Mississippians to take note of advice and warnings from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency as well as state and local officials and law enforcement agencies.
“Mississippians will once again show their resolve in the face of a hurricane,” said Cochran. “We know that the recovery process will take time and cost money, and we will work to ensure that Mississippi has the resources it needs. Together, we will recover from this storm just as we have in the past. In the meantime, we should follow the advice of the first responders and volunteers on the ground, who are working admirably to help those affected.”
Wicker added that Nate was no match for the resilience of Mississippians.
“We understand that a full recovery does not happen overnight, and I know that the Coast will bounce back quickly,” said Wicker. “I am working closely with state and local officials to get an accurate picture of the damage, and we stand ready to work with the Trump Administration to ensure that needed federal resources will be delivered to storm victims.”
Congressman Steven Palazzo said that Mississippians have had to traverse this road before.
“In South Mississippi, we know what to do and now we need to get to work,” said Palazzo. “As Vice Chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I will make sure relief is expeditiously approved, if necessary, and we will be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.”
Governor Phil Bryant said that he was proud of their team for the response to Hurricane Nate.
“I was there with them throughout the storm and saw the best of the best at work,” said Bryant. “The people of the Gulf Coast were well-prepared. Local and MDOT crews began clean-up at dawn on Sunday morning. Requests we made pre-landfall were approved by the White House and will help pay 75 percent of expenses incurred before the storm came ashore. FEMA offered help during and after the storm. Most importantly, there were no fatalities.”
Prior to the Hurricane’s landfall, President Trump approved an emergency declaration for George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, and Stone counties, with additional designations possible pending further post-storm evaluations.
