Miss. Delegation Urges Trump to Approve Major Disaster Declaration for Mississippi

WASHINGTON - The Mississippi congressional delegation today shared its strong support for Governor Tate Reeves' request for a major disaster declaration after devastating tornadoes and severe weather struck the state on May 6-7, 2026.

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., sent President Trump a letter endorsing the governor's request for an expedited major disaster declaration for Lamar, Lincoln, Franklin, Lawrence, and Wilkinson counties for individual assistance and public assistance. If approved, the major disaster declaration would unlock additional federal resources to supplement state recovery efforts.

"Several of the tornadoes caused catastrophic damage, including an EF3 tornado that, at times, exceeded a mile in width and remained on the ground for nearly 70 miles. The storms destroyed and severely damaged many homes and businesses, uprooted trees, crippled critical infrastructure, and caused widespread power outages affecting thousands of Mississippians," the lawmakers wrote. "Communities across the impacted region continue to face significant recovery challenges in the aftermath of these storms.

Read the full letter below.

Dear President Trump,

We respectfully write to urge your full and timely consideration of Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves' request for a Major Disaster Declaration following recent devastating tornadoes and severe weather in our state. We remain deeply grateful for the continued partnership and support provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in response to prior disasters, and we appreciate the agency's ongoing coordination with state and local officials as damage assessments continue.

On the evening of May 6, 2026, and early morning of May 7, 2026, multiple Mississippi counties experienced destructive weather conditions, including supercell thunderstorms that produced at least seven confirmed tornadoes across portions of the state. Several of the tornadoes caused catastrophic damage, including an EF3 tornado that, at times, exceeded a mile in width and remained on the ground for nearly 70 miles. The storms destroyed and severely damaged many homes and businesses, uprooted trees, crippled critical infrastructure, and caused widespread power outages affecting thousands of Mississippians. Communities across the impacted region continue to face significant recovery challenges in the aftermath of these storms.

Governor Reeves' request includes both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for Lamar, Lincoln, Franklin, Lawrence, and Wilkinson counties. The magnitude of the destruction has placed extraordinary strain on state and local resources, and the capabilities of volunteer and charitable organizations alone will not be sufficient to meet the long-term recovery needs of affected communities. Federal assistance will be critical to support the recovery of these communities.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort.