Governor signs executive order allowing National Guard to assist

JACKSON, Miss. (VDN) — Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has signedExecutive Order 1593. It activates the Mississippi National Guard to assist in the state’s response and recovery efforts.

According to Reeves in a press conference held Monday afternoon, the Mississippi National Guard will play a critical role in logistical support and delivering resources around the state.

“To start, 500 Guardsmen will be deployed. This number could increase as the response and recovery efforts progress. Thank you to all of our Guardsmen for once again stepping up to serve their fellow Mississippians,” said Reeves.

The Governor said in terms of damage, the state of Mississippi has received reports of:
14 – Residential – Major Damage
3 – Residential – Minor Damage
1 – Business – Major Damage
20 – Public Roads – Major Damage

33 counties have submitted requests for assistance. The total number of requests currently stands at 136. Mississippi is deploying oxygen cylinders, generators, bottled water, MREs, cots, blankets, and tarps to counties.

Approximately 147,000 are without power. Mississippi has secured an additional 30 generators from FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency. Generators will be deployed to healthcare facilities, nursing homes, warming centers, and rural water systems in need. Due to weather and road conditions, it is still extremely difficult for utility providers to restore power. To put it bluntly, it’s really bad in northern and rural parts of Mississippi. And unfortunately, the power restoration is going to take some time. Utility companies are doing everything in their power to restore power as quickly as humanly possible.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation is still treating highways. Please stay off the roads, as conditions remain dangerous. Roads will remain this way until temperatures rise above freezing and sunlight thaws ice.

61 warming center are open in 30 counties. For the latest list of warming centers, click here.