DeSantis sends team to help Mississippi tornado recovery
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – In the wake of devastating hurricanes in Mississippi and surrounding areas, Gov. Ron DeSantis has deployed over a dozen disaster recovery agents to assist those impacted.
“Under the direction of @GovRonDeSantis, The Division & @FloridaDMS were proud to deliver these vehicles to assist in the recovery efforts in Mississippi due to the devastating tornadoes,” the Florida Division of Emergency Management announced.
According to the division, DeSantis deployed an all-hazards incident management team that was tasked with coordinating point of distribution operations for donated goods, conducting hazard mapping and site surveys, and assisting debris removal.
A 12-person team was sent on March 28, along with four ground support personnel. At the time of reporting, their mission is set to extend through April 18 at the request of Mississippi.
The division also told Florida’s Voice that a recovery support team, composed of three people, is focusing on disaster housing support.
“In response to the devastating tornadoes, I’ve deployed @FLSERT to support operations in Rolling Fork and housing efforts in Jackson through EMAC,” DeSantis said. “Florida will also be donating equipment to assist in recovery efforts.”
“Florida stands with Mississippi.”
EMAC is the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which enables U.S. states to share their resources during natural disasters.
According to the National Weather Service, Mississippi has been witness to at least 22 confirmed deaths and nearly a dozen or more injuries. Most of those are in the Rolling Fork and Silver City area.
21% of the residents in Rolling Fork reportedly already live in poverty.
Mississippi is a regular host of tornados, but Rolling Fork is a town with less resources and did not have strong community shelter infrastructure for natural disasters.
