Three Mississippi Counties Declared Federal Disasters following Easter Storms

PEARL, Miss. – Yesterday, President Donald Trump approved Governor Tate Reeves’s expedited request for a Federal Disaster Declaration for Covington, Jefferson Davis and Jones counties in response to the severe storms that impacted the state on April 12, 2020. This declaration will provide individual assistance to affected residents in Covington, Jefferson Davis, and Jones counties. […]


Damage Report, Severe Weather April 12

UPDATE: The National Weather Service Jackson confirmed 14 tornadoes on April 12, 2020. EF-0 2 EF-1 6 EF-2 3 EF-3 1 EF-4 2 PEARL, Miss. –  The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency continues to respond to the severe weather that hit the state on April 12, 2020. The National Weather Service confirmed a total of 15 […]


Statewide Burn Ban in Effect During COVID-19 Crisis

Pearl, Miss. – At the request and advice of the Mississippi Forestry Commission, Governor Tate Reeves has signed a proclamation initiating a statewide burn ban effective immediately. The burn ban will remain in effect until further notice. Under a statewide burn ban, outdoor burning of any kind is prohibited. There are no exemptions for agricultural or […]


MEMA Launches Mississippi Business Emergency Operations Center

PEARL, Miss. – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is excited to launch its virtual Mississippi Business Emergency Operations Center (MSBEOC). The MSBEOC provides disaster-specific communications from MEMA to registered members to coordinate private-sector businesses. It connects those who need resources with resource providers during response and recovery from an emergency or disaster event. MSBEOC is open […]


Public Assistance Available for COVID-19 Response

PEARL, Miss. –  On April 5, 2020 Mississippi’s Major Disaster Declaration was approved by President Trump. This request covers all counties for the Coronavirus (COVID-19). At this time 142 entities within the state of Mississippi have applied for Public Assistance. During a Presidential Disaster Declaration, Public Assistance programs can help provide federal grants to local […]


MEMA Encourages Use of Face Mask in Public Settings

PEARL, Miss. – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Mississippi State Department of Health encourage Mississippians to wear face masks while in public to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-10) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are challenging to […]


COVID-19, Testing Sites, Closures and More

On April 24, 2020, Governor Tate Reeves issued the new Executive Order 1477 Safer at Home regarding an update to the COVID-19 shelter in place. The Internal Revenue Service has released guidance on how to apply for an “Economic Impact Payment” CLICK HERE for more on what you need to know: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you-need-to-know —————————————————————————————————————————————— The Mississippi […]


Mississippi Blood Services Experiencing Blood Shortage

PEARL, Miss. – As the Coronavirus outbreak continues, Mississippi Blood Services has been forced to cancel numerous blood drives resulting in a severe blood shortage. MEMA and the Mississippi State Department of Health encourage those that are able to donate visit any of the donation locations listed below to give blood. All blood types are […]


Request Made for Major Federal Disaster Declaration

PEARL, Miss. – On April 1, 2020, Governor Tate Reeves requested a “Major Federal Disaster Declaration” from President Donald Trump regarding COVID-19. The disaster declaration, if approved, will activate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Individual Assistance (IA) Program for all counties. Financial and Crisis Counseling assistance would be available to individuals who suffered economic […]


COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Q: What does the ‘Safer-At-Home’ order mean? A: Mississippians should still stay home unless they have an essential reason for going out. The statewide ‘safer-at-home’ order is outlined in Executive Order 1477 and will be in effect from 8:00 AM Monday, April 27, 2020, until 8:00 AM Monday, May 11, 2020. Examples of essential, personal […]