DeSoto among areas in State of Emergency after weekend storms

April 4, 2023 Bob Bakken

Photo: Structure damage from the weekend storms in DeSoto County. Gov. Tate Reeves Tuesday issued a State of Emergency for DeSoto and other counties harmed by the storms and tornadoes that swept through the state. (Credit: DeSoto County Government/Facebook)

DeSoto and Tunica counties are among five Mississippi counties placed under a State of Emergency on Tuesday, April 4, by Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves.

Pontotoc, Tishomingo, and Lee counties, as well as other areas of the state that were affected by the severe storms that occurred across northern Mississippi on Friday, March 31 and continued through Saturday, April 1.

“It is heartbreaking to see the destruction caused by this storm,” said Gov. Reeves. “My prayers are with the families impacted. I want everyone to know that the state of Mississippi stands ready to support these communities in every way possible as they seek to rebuild and recover.”

Reeves has directed all state agencies to discharge their emergency responsibilities as deemed necessary and set forth in Mississippi’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Tuesday morning said the number of homes in DeSoto County damaged by the storms now totals 50.

There have been no reports of death or injury from the storms in DeSoto County, however the severe weather did cause one death and four others were injured when the storms went through Pontotoc County. That is where 94 homes were damaged, according to MEMA, as well as six farms.

In Lee County, 32 homes and five businesses were damaged, and in Tishomingo County, six homes and three businesses were harmed.

MEMA will begin validating the following damage numbers and assess the needs of those impacted communities. If federal assistance is unavailable, MEMA encourages eligible counties to utilize the Disaster Assistance Repair Program. Funding can only be used to purchase building materials to help repair residents’ homes.

MEMA encourages residents with any damage to do the following: