Wicker Supports Mississippi Relief Efforts

Crews have not ceased working to restore power and to clear roads after the winter storm blanketed Mississippi in thick ice. Now, we brace for a bitter cold front. The icy blast may extend the state's freezing temperatures all the way down to the coast.

For Immediate Help, Contact Local Officials

As weather conditions change, one thing remains the same: Mississippians in need should contact their county's emergency management officials. These men and women form the front lines of our state's exemplary disaster relief efforts. They act as liaisons between community members and staff at the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).

MEMA's website lists contact information for every county's emergency program. For help, Mississippians should visit https://www.msema.org/get-assistance/county-emergency-management-contacts.

Nation Salutes Mississippi Response Systems

As the snow and ice descended on our neighborhood in North Mississippi, my wife, Gayle, and I saw what we always witness in times of hardship. Our fellow Mississippians sprung into action. We are grieved that, as of Thursday afternoon, 12 Mississippi residents have lost their lives in the storm. Their loved ones will need community support more than ever.

Across the affected areas, churches, schools, and private businesses opened their doors. They have created dozens of warming centers and offered places to shower and do laundry. Mississippians donated diapers, food, camper stoves, and paper products. Teams braved the frigid temperatures to distribute generators, blankets, food, water, and cots. The Mississippi National Guard mobilized, even using aircraft to deliver aid when roads proved impassable. Energy companies have moved crews in from across the region. Thousands of Mississippians remain without electricity-an increasingly difficult situation as temperatures fall again. As these teams work night and day to restore power, the state's response crews will continue serving those in need.

Mississippians have become very good at handling disaster. We took to heart the lessons of Hurricane Katrina. After that storm, it was clear that local officials are best positioned to meet urgent local issues. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) plays a vital role in our storm recovery. But we are proud that MEMA has become the gold standard for its response in the immediate aftermath of disaster.

Federal Delegation Is In For The Long Haul

As I applaud the work of our local and state officials, I remain committed to advocating for Mississippi's needs at the federal level. President Trump quickly approved an emergency declaration for our state. That action gives Mississippi officials access to additional FEMA resources as they work to bring power back online and to remove debris. As we need more federal assistance in the future, the Mississippi congressional delegation will help secure it.

In the meantime, I urge Mississippians to continue following local and state guidance. Until ice thaws, residents should stay at home or in a warming shelter. I am confident that community members will continue demonstrating the generosity and unified spirit I have already seen on display. Together, we will weather this storm and recover as we have in the past.