Barbour Declares State of Emergency, Includes Jackson | Jackson Free Press | Jackson, MS

Barbour Declares State of Emergency, Includes Jackson

2:45 p.m.—(JACKSON, Mississippi) - Governor Haley Barbour today declared a State of Emergency for 12 Mississippi counties following a severe weather system and tornadoes which hit parts of Central Mississippi, including the Jackson Metro area. The Governor announced the State of Emergency while touring neighborhoods in Northeast Jackson, which were among the hardest-hit areas from Friday's storm and tornadoes.

"The amount of damage caused by the tornadoes and severe weather is devastating and widespread," Governor Barbour said. "By issuing this State of Emergency, we are providing a relief measure at the state level which helps ensure affected residents have necessary supplies available to them, and that emergency responders will have the authority to provide these services to storm victims in an expedient manner."

The full text of the Governor's State of Emergency is listed below.

WHEREAS, areas of the State of Mississippi were affected by
severe weather and tornadoes on April 4, 2008 in Hinds, Lauderdale,
Leake, Madison, Neshoba, Newton, Scott, Smith, Rankin, Tippah, Warren
and Yazoo counties, and other affected counties in the State of
Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, this storm system caused damage to homes, businesses,
public property, and threatened the safety of the citizens and property
throughout the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, in consideration of the health and safety of the
residents and the protection of their property within the affected
areas, and in the public interest, all steps should be taken to protect
people and property;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Haley Barbour, Governor of the State of
Mississippi, pursuant to the authority vested in me under the
Constitution of the State of Mississippi and Section 33-15-11-(b) (17),
Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, and in the public interest and for
the general welfare, do hereby proclaim a State of Emergency to exist in
the areas of the State of Mississippi affected by this severe weather
system. The provisions of this proclamation shall exist and remain in
effect until such time as this threat to public safety shall cease to
exist as prescribed in Section 33-15-11(b)(17), Mississippi Code of
1972, as amended.

FURTHER, all agencies of the State of Mississippi shall
discharge their emergency responsibilities as deemed necessary as set
forth in the Executive Order No. 653, dated November 16, 1990 and the
State of Mississippi's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.

###

Previous Commentsshow

What's this?

Support our reporting -- Follow the MFP.

Comments

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.