The state Senate on Tuesday unanimously voted to provide $20 million to fund the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency’s initial Winter Storm Fern response and recovery efforts, although it was not clear if the House would consider the plan. Hours after the Senate vote, Gov. Tate Reeves announced he is requesting a major disaster declaration for several counties.
Reeves said the state is asking the federal government for individual assistance and disaster unemployment and for money to aid local governments, including for debris removal. Damage assessments continue, and the governor did not specify how much federal money the state is seeking.
“My request is another step forward as we continue to help Mississippians recover from the historic winter weather storm,” Reeves said in a statement. “The state of Mississippi will continue to use every tool at its disposal to help those in need. We will not stop until the work is complete.”
Scott Simmons, director of external affairs for MEMA, said there’s no set timeline for the federal government to consider Mississippi’s request for help.
Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and Senate leaders said they want to provide state money quickly as communities continue suffering from the ice storm that struck Mississippi over the weekend of Jan. 24-25. These expenses include deployment of National Guard troops and initial responses by the state Health Department and MEMA.
“The damage is costly, and Mississippians should not have to wait for essential help,” Hosemann said in a statement. “As recovery continues, we must do everything possible to help our communities rebuild stronger.”
The proposal heads to the House, where House Speaker Jason White said on Monday he had not communicated with the Senate about its plan. Whit said the House was studying the best way to help local communities with state resources.
Simmons previously told Mississippi Today that if the Legislature allocates more money to MEMA, it would be a “substantial improvement in our ability to respond to natural disasters.”
The Senate measure would direct money to MEMA and would not provide individual assistance for Mississippians impacted by the storm. State leaders said more state and federal dollars will be forthcoming for recovery.
Hosemann and Senate Appropriations Chairman Briggs Hopson, a Republican from Vicksburg, said the Senate will roll out additional measures later in the session to assist local communities impacted by the storm, but they did not offer specifics.
Hosemann praised the work the state National Guard has been doing.
At least 25 people died as a result of the storm, MEMA said Monday in the latest update to the death toll. According to Poweroutage.us, about 35,000 customers in Mississippi remained without power Tuesday evening, down from a peak of about 180,000 during the storm.
Update, 2/3/2026: Reporter Aaron Lampley contributed to this article, which has been updated to show Gov. Tate Reeves has requested a major disaster declaration.
