Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has requested a Major Disaster Declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for multiple counties impacted by severe winter storms that occurred from Jan. 23 to Jan. 27, 2026.
The request includes provisions for individual assistance, disaster unemployment benefits, and public assistance, such as debris removal. Reeves’s office said the state is working closely with FEMA, state agencies, and local governments to assess damage and ensure the request meets federal thresholds.
Reeves emphasized that the state remains committed to helping residents recover from the winter weather. He added that additional damages could lead to amendments to the request to include more counties for aid. The governor stated Mississippi will continue to use all available resources until recovery efforts are complete.
FEMA has yet to respond to the state’s request. Officials said the process involves thorough assessments, and additional damages reported or discovered could influence the scope of federal assistance.
