“I have declared another state of emergency in Mississippi. We just saw horrific, deadly storms across the state—right as we enter our COVID-19 peak,” said Reeves.
Details in live briefing:
Gov. Reeves confirmed that there have been 11 confirmed deaths as a result of the Easter Sunday storms.
MEMA Director Michel said about 30 counties across the state were involved and the deaths spanned across six of those counties. He added that they are still working to account for all local populations.
“many counties will start beginning to make additional damage assessments,” said Michel. “Damage assessments may be delayed due to down roads.”
During this time he urged people not to go into these areas. He said the roads that are working need to remain open so that utility vehicles and help can get to where they need to go.
In response to the storms in the midst of COVID-19 Michel said shelters are still available but they are not being overly utilized, as lifesaving measures are paramount to the virus. He also recommended that people who have had to seek shelters at this time to wear a mask or something to protect their mouth and nose while in closer quarters to individuals.
As people in these areas begin picking up the pieces, the Red Cross is sheltering families with nowhere to go.
Governor Reeves said because the storms happened in the early to late afternoon hours of Sunday, today’s daylight hours have been critically important for first responders and people need to stay away from those areas that were hit so that emergency crews can do their jobs.
”Tens of thousands of Mississippians lost power. We already know that hundreds of homes were destroyed or badly damaged. Meanwhile, we are facing an unemployment crisis—8,000% increase—that leaves many of these people especially vulnerable. Tens of thousands just lost their jobs,” said Reeves.
As of now, Dr. Dobbs said that the resource need in the areas hit by the storms is distributed for any trauma care. He said because of this model the hospitals along the path of the storms were able to handle to influx of individuals on a pretty normal working order.
“These are difficult days for Mississippi. We will get through. Mississippians are strong. We will emerge stronger. Stay safe and God bless,” said Reeves.
Sarah Ulmer
