Recovery Underway After Mississippi Tornadoes; Biden Approves Emergency Declaration
AllSides Summary
Recovery efforts are underway in Mississippi after a severe tornado killed at least 25 people in the state.
The Details: Drone images show how the tornado destroyed homes and buildings in and near the town of Rolling Fork before moving northeast into Alabama, where at least one more person was reported dead. On Saturday, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) declared a state of emergency in four counties, and his request for a major disaster declaration was granted by President Joe Biden on Sunday.
Key Quotes: Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn (R) said legislators "stand ready to provide whatever monetary resources we can" to help survivors. The federal aid will include "grants for temporary housing and home repairs" and "low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses," according to the White House.
A Tornado of Rare Proportions: According to the National Weather Survey (NWS), the tornado traveled a path of 59.4 miles, and reached a max width of 3/4 of a mile with max wind speeds of 170 mph. NWS says less than 1% of tornadoes travel more than 50 miles.
How the Media Covered It: Sources across the spectrum noted that because the area is relatively poor and rural, recovery efforts may be more difficult. Some left-rated sources, such as NPR (Lean Left bias), highlighted the tornado's potential connection to climate change. Others focused on ways to help survivors.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Right
Biden approves disaster declaration for Mississippi storm that killed at least 26
President Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration for Mississippi after a string of tornadoes and other severe weather ravaged the state, and left at least 26 dead.
As part of the declaration, federal funds will be available to four counties including Carroll, Humphreys, Monroe, and Sharkey, the White House announced early Sunday. Declaration money will include both loans and grants.
"Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster," The White House...
From the Center
Lawmakers eye tornado relief as they haggle over state budget in final days of 2023 session
Legislative leaders, negotiating a state budget during the final days of the 2023 session, said they intend to provide funds to help with recovery efforts from Friday’s tornadoes that tore a path of death and destruction through the Delta and north Mississippi.
The storm has thus far resulted in 25 deaths in Mississippi and destroyed buildings stretching from the south Delta to the Amory area in northeast Mississippi.
House Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, was among the legislative leaders who visited Rolling Fork that suffered massive destruction. On Sunday he said legislators “stand...
From the Left
Residents of Mississippi town destroyed by tornado continue search for loved ones
James Anderson was in bed when he heard the tornado’s roar. Startled, Anderson, 61, rolled onto the floor just as his home’s windows exploded under the pressure of the storm.
It “sounded like someone had a machine gun,” he said.
Through the chaos, he shouted for his sister, Barbie Anderson, to grab her grandchildren — an infant and a 7-year-old — and run. Barbie pulled them into a hallway, shielded their bodies with hers and prayed.
“Lord,” she pleaded, “please take care of us.”
The Andersons’ lives were spared, and...
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