WASHINGTON – Mississippi’s congressional delegation expressed appreciation for the President’s prompt approval of Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant’s request for an expedited federal disaster declaration for areas of the state wrecked by tornadoes and severe storms this week.

U.S. Senators Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., with U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Gregg Harper, R-Miss., Alan Nunnelee, R-Miss., and Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., today issued the following statement regarding the disaster designation, which was approved late Wednesday evening:

“The significant losses and hardships caused by the deadly storms in Mississippi this week make this federal disaster declaration more than appropriate.  We appreciate the President’s prompt approval of Governor Bryant’s request to make assistance available to families, businesses and whole communities hurt by these storms.  We will be working with the administration and federal agencies helping the resilient people of Mississippi recover and rebuild.”

On Wednesday, the delegation sent a letter to President Obama requesting full consideration of Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant’s request for an expedited federal disaster declaration in the wake of devastating weather events across the state.  The letter supported Governor Bryant’s request for direct federal assistance for Itawamba, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Rankin, Wayne and Winston counties, and Hazard Mitigation statewide.