Reeves Asks Trump to Declare Disaster for Eight Counties Hit by Tropical Storm Arthur
Gov. Tate Reeves on July 17 formally asked President Donald Trump to issue a Major Disaster Declaration for eight Mississippi counties struck by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flash flooding on June 18 and 19, damage the state attributes to the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur.
According to the governor's office, the storm dropped as much as 30 inches of rain over a five-day period, with some downpours falling at rates of up to three inches an hour. The rainfall triggered flash-flood emergencies, threatened earthen dams and pushed multiple river basins into major flood stage. Six river basins crested and did not recede for as long as seven days. The state says the storm damaged 532 homes, 17 businesses and five farms.
The state is requesting Individual Assistance — aid available to residents, including grants for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans for uninsured losses — for Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River and Stone counties. It is requesting Public Assistance, which reimburses local governments and certain nonprofits for debris removal, emergency measures and infrastructure repairs, for eight counties: Covington, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River, Stone and Wayne.
The governor's office said the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency have completed joint damage assessments, and that those assessments show the counties meet the threshold for Public Assistance. The request may be amended to add counties as further damage is reported.
“Mississippians are resilient, but the damage caused by Tropical Storm Arthur has left many families and communities facing a long recovery,” Reeves said in the announcement. “Today, I requested a Major Disaster Declaration from President Trump to help ensure those impacted have access to the resources they need to rebuild.”
The president must approve the request before federal assistance becomes available. The state said it continues to work with federal, local, faith-based and private-sector partners on recovery.