President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced on social media the approval of $11 million for recovery from tornadoes and severe weather that hit south Mississippi on May 6 and 7. The news came in response to Gov. Tate Reeves’ request on May 19 for a federal disaster declaration.
The storms destroyed 88 homes, damaged 425 others, and injured 26 people in Franklin, Lamar, Lawrence, Lincoln and Wilkinson counties. The National Weather Service reported seven tornadoes hit the state on May 6. One, an EF3, stretched over a mile wide at one point and remained on the ground for nearly 70 miles.
Just halfway through 2026, the year has already delivered several bouts of destructive weather to Mississippi. Tuesday’s announcement marks the second major disaster declaration the state has received this year after Winter Storm Fern in January.
Then, less than two weeks ago, flooding and severe weather from Tropical Storm Arthur damaged 565 homes, Reeves announced in an update Monday. Totals from that storm now include 150 destroyed homes and 152 with major damage.
Major disaster declarations are reserved for large events where damages exceed a state’s response capacity. The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced the declaration Thursday afternoon. Reeves requested funding through both the Public and Individual Assistance programs. The FEMA release said the federal funding will be available to affected individuals in Franklin, Lamar, Lawrence, Lincoln and Wilkinson counties and can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and families recover from the effects of the disaster.
Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair and replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding in Franklin, Lamar, Lawrence and Lincoln counties, according to the FEMA announcement.
Shortly after the governor’s request, all six members of Mississippi’s congressional delegation echoed the call to support struggling local governments dealing with the tornadoes’ aftermath.
UPDATE 7/2/26: This story has been updated with information from a FEMA announcement on Thursday.