Pearl – Response efforts by The State of Mississippi after the March 24th deadly tornadoes are ongoing. At this time, fatalities stand at 25 with dozens of others injured. That number is subject to change. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing. The fatalities are reported in Sharkey, Humphreys, Carroll, and Monroe counties. Multiple state agencies and partners are working together to help in the response and recovery efforts.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has coordinated multiple resources to help those impacted. Those resources include bottled water, potable water tankers, tarps, portable restrooms, hand washing stations, batteries, bank chargers, and fuel for critical infrastructure generators.
Currently, there are three shelters open. Those locations are:
National Guard Armory/Civic Center
19719 US 61
Rolling Fork, MS 39159
Humphreys County Multipurpose BLDG
417 Silver City Road
Belzoni, MS 39038
Old Amory National Guard Building
101 S 9th St.
Amory, MS 38821
The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and other nonprofit organizations will continue to offer food at these sites.
ESF #6 Mass Care and Human Services
The Mississippi Division of Medicaid has enacted its state of emergency to allow patients impacted by the storm to receive early refills and additional prescriptions above the monthly limit. Pharmacy providers should follow the billing guidelines found at this link: https://medicaid.ms.gov/disaster-billing-directions/. Medicaid is directing its Coordinated Care Organizations’ pharmacy directors to enact their emergency procedures.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who have lost food due to a disaster must request a replacement at their local MDHS office within ten days of the disaster. Households can submit the replacement request using mail, email, or by using the upload feature on the MDHS website. (www.mdhs.ms.gov).
The Department of Mental Health is reporting the Region 6 Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) is responding to the community to bring supplies and respond to mental health needs. Those specialists are available to provide services in the community for anyone experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The DMH Helpline is also available for information and referral services and can be reached at 1-877-210-8513.
ESF #8 Mississippi Department of Health
Pafford Ambulance Services has set up a mobile hospital inside the Armory in Sharkey County.
ESF #12 Mississippi Public Utilities Staff.
Energy companies are reminding people to report any smell of gas to their local energy company or 911.
Utility companies also ask that people do not cut fiber wires. It is dangerous and some of those wires are used for emergency communications.
Donations:
The Rolling Fork National Guard/Civic Center is open and accepting donations.
The Department of Public Safety, MEMA, and The Department of Agriculture have teamed together to accept donations of bottled water, canned goods, and paper products.
The donation site is at the Old Armory at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds. Donations will be accepted Sunday through Tuesday 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
The City of Olive Branch is working alongside MEMA to accept donations of supplies, bottled water, canned goods and paper products. Donations will be accepted at the City of Olive Branch Fleet Services located at 10414 Hwy 178 next to the Olive Branch Police Department. They will be open Sunday (3/26) 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and Monday (3/27) through Wednesday (3/29) from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
The Amory Regional Museum is accepting supplies only, no monetary donations. The address is 801 3rd Street South in Amory.
Monetary donations can be sent to the Community Foundation of Washing County at P.O. Box 5910 Greenville, MS 39704.
Crossway Church is accepting donations at 1825 Highway 61 South in Vicksburg, MS 39180.
Volunteers:
If you are looking to volunteer time or resources, please do not self-deploy. Volunteer in coordination with Volunteer Mississippi at this link.
Mississippi Insurance Department: Molina mobile clinic will be set up at the Sharkey County Civic Center today. (3-26-23)
MEMA is encouraging residents who can report their damage using MEMA’s Self-Report Tool.
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