Wicker, Cochran, Palazzo Offer Recovery Assurances After Hurricane Nate Landfall

Miss. Leaders Also Encourage Mississippians to Heed Advice of Local Officials

October 8, 2017

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Congressman Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., today said they are ready to work with federal and state agencies to ensure a strong response following the landfall of Hurricane Nate.

The lawmakers also encouraged Mississippians to take note of advice and warnings from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (http://www.msema.org/), as well as state and local officials and law enforcement agencies.

"Hurricane Nate is no match for Mississippians’ resilience,” Wicker said.  “We understand that a full recovery does not happen overnight, and I know that the Coast will bounce back quickly.  I am working closely with state and local officials to get an accurate picture of the damage, and we stand ready to work with the Trump Administration to ensure that needed federal resources will be delivered to storm victims.”

“Mississippians will once again show their resolve in the face of a hurricane,” Cochran said.  “We know that the recovery process will take time and cost money, and we will work to ensure that Mississippi has the resources it needs.  Together, we will recover from this storm just as we have in the past.  In the meantime, we should follow the advice of the first responders and volunteers on the ground, who are working admirably to help those affected.” 

“We’ve been‎ here before. In South Mississippi we know what to do and now we need to get to work.  As Vice Chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I will make sure relief is expeditiously approved, if necessary, and we will be good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Palazzo said.

Hurricane Nate made back-to-back landfalls overnight, first at the mouth of the Mississippi River and then between Gulfport and Biloxi early Sunday morning as a Category 1 storm.  It is projected to continue north through Mississippi and Alabama before dissipating over the eastern United States. 

Prior to landfall yesterday, President Trump approved an emergency declaration for George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, and Stone counties, with additional designations possible pending further post-storm evaluations.