Update on Hurricane Ida press conference

Hurricane Ida entered the southwest part of Mississippi and left over the northeast part, damaging areas from the Gulf Coast to the Tennessee line.

In a press conference today, Governor Tate Reeves and MEMA Executive Director Stephen McCraney accounted some of the damage that has been done to the area so far.

As of today, 37,000 are still without power, most in southwest Mississippi, and about 10,000 in Pike County. 164 homes were impacted by Hurricane Ida. Of those, six were destroyed and 42 have severe damage.

Around 53 bridges and 184 roads have been impacted.

There were 28 shelters open with over 600 occupants during the storm. As of today, there are three shelters open with 44 occupants. Governor Reeves said, “We have distributed over 200,000 sand bags, 52 pallets of bottled water, one pallet of MREs. 140 KW generators, we have distributed three at this time. We have also distributed nine pallets of shelter PPE packs and over 600 tarps to Mississippians and will continue to do so.”

McCraney said, “Our priorities right now are displaced citizens, those without power. We want to get restoration there and fuel. If we can accomplish those things, those three missions, over the next few days, Mississippi is going to come out of this very well.”

Mississippi residents with damage should call 888-574-3583. For those with structural damage, they should report it online using the MEMA’s self-report tool.