Miss. Delegation Urges Trump to Approve Federal Disaster Declaration for Pine Belt

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- The office of Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., issued the following news release:

The Mississippi congressional delegation today issued a letter to President Trump endorsing Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant's request for a federal disaster declaration for Pine Belt counties that recently sustained extensive tornado and severe storm damage.

In the letter, U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Representatives Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), Gregg Harper (R-Miss.), Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) and Trent Kelly (R-Miss.) are supporting the Governor's request for a major federal disaster declaration for Forrest, Lamar, Lauderdale and Perry counties. Administration officials have been in close contact with Mississippi's local, state, and federal officials since the time of the storms.

"We request your full consideration of Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for Mississippi, as a result of severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of January 20-21, 2017. We also support the Governor's request for statewide Hazard Mitigation," the federal lawmakers wrote.

The letter points out the extent of loss of life, injuries and damage throughout the area. While they expressed gratitude for initial Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance, the lawmakers also noted the hardship placed on state and local organizations in the aftermath of the storm.

"The state, local governments and volunteer organizations have been strained by their immediate response to these disasters as well as continuing recovery operations from previous disasters. We are committed to working together to help these affected communities and our state recover from the significant damage across the Southeast United States caused by this severe storm system," the lawmakers wrote.

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