Articles

Miss. Congressional Delegation Applauds Trump for Approving Major Disaster Declaration for Mississippi

Washington, February 8, 2026

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Trent Kelly, R-Miss., Michael Guest, R-Miss., and Mike Ezell, R-Miss., today applauded President Trump for approving Mississippi’s request for a major disaster declaration following deadly Winter Storm Fern which struck the state from January 23-27, 2026. This approval unlocks federal resources to support recovery efforts across Mississippi. The declaration approves Public Assistance for 38 counties.

“We thank President Trump for approving Mississippi's major disaster declaration. These resources will help our communities rebuild after Winter Storm Fern. We are grateful for this immediate response from the administration,” the Mississippi congressional delegation said in a joint statement.

Following the storm, the delegation signed a letter to President Trump in support of Governor Tate Reeves’ request for a major disaster declaration.

“State and local resources, along with those of volunteer organizations, are insufficient to meet Mississippi’s recovery needs. Strong federal support and coordination will be essential to help communities recover and rebuild,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter.

Click here to read the full disaster declaration.

Background:
1. All categories of Public Assistance, including direct federal assistance were approved for Alcorn, Bolivar, Calhoun, Carroll, Grenada, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Leflore, Montogomery, Sharkey, Sunflower, Warren, Washington, Webster, and Yazoo Counties as well as for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
2. Public Assistance for emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct federal assistance for Adams, Attala, Benton, Claiborne, Coahoma, DeSoto, Hinds, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Marshall, Panola, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Tunica, Union, and Yalobusha Counties was also approved.
3. Individual Assistance is under review