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Mississippi governor signs emergency declaration ahead of Zeta
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JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves signed an emergency declaration ahead of Hurricane Zeta.
The governor tweeted on Wednesday, “Watch the weather. Be prepared. Emergency operators are working to get ready for storm surge and hard winds—up to 9 feet of surge and winds up to 100 MPH. Stay sharp, stay safe, and pray for God’s protection.”
Reeves also requested a pre-landfall disaster declaration in anticipation of Hurricane Zeta.
Under the requested federal emergency declaration, FEMA would be authorized to provide emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent federal funding for thirteen Mississippi counties: Clarke, Jones, Wayne, Lamar, Forrest, Perry, Greene, Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison and Jackson.
The purpose of a federal emergency declaration is to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas.
More counties could be added to this declaration based on the impacts of Hurricane Delta.
U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve the request for a Pre-Landfall Disaster Declaration in advance of Hurricane Zeta.
You can read the full letter below:
Dear President Trump,
In anticipation of landfall of Hurricane Zeta, we request your full consideration of Governor Tate Reeves’s request for a Pre-Landfall Disaster Declaration under Section 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
Under the requested federal emergency declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would be authorized to provide emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent federal funding for thirteen Mississippi counties including Clarke, Jones, Wayne, Lamar, Forrest, Perry, Greene, Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson.
As noted in the Governor’s request, Mississippi is forecasted to face devastating impacts in the southeast portion of the State including heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes.
This declaration would provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort.