Weather News
Published Updated

Biden pledges ‘full federal support’ as storm death toll climbs in South

Friday’s storms killed at least two dozen people across the South. Most of those deaths happened in Mississippi, where monstrous tornadoes leveled towns.

By Aaron Barker , Steven Yablonski Source FOX Weather

FEMA will be on the ground to help Mississippi following deadly tornadoes

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell says they have staff that have integrated into the state and they are going to work with MS Governor Tate Reeves to get a disaster declaration request.  

WASHINGTON – As people across the South begin assessing the damage and loss of life that happened during a severe weather outbreak Friday night, President Joe Biden promised the full support of the federal government during the recovery.

At least two dozen storm-related deaths have been reported across the South. Most of those happened in Mississippi, where monstrous tornadoes decimated several towns.

"The images from across Mississippi are heartbreaking," Biden said in a statement issued Saturday. "While we are still assessing the full extent of the damage, we know that many of our fellow Americans are not only grieving for family and friends, they’ve lost their homes and businesses."

WATCH: DEADLY MISSISSIPPI TORNADO TELLS OMINOUS STORY AS IT WAS TRACKED ON DOPPLER RADAR

Image 1 of 13

Catastrophic tornado damage in Rolling Fork, Mississippi (Jordan Hall / SevereStudios.com)

Image 2 of 13

Damage left behind as tornadoes strike Rolling Fork and Silver City, Mississippi on March 24, 2023. (City of Greenville, Mississippi)

Image 3 of 13

Catastrophic tornado damage in Rolling Fork, Mississippi (Jordan Hall / SevereStudios.com)

Image 4 of 13

Significant damage in Amory, Mississippi after a tornado tore through on March 24, 2023. (SkyBama/LSM)

Image 5 of 13

Significant damage in Amory, Mississippi after a tornado tore through on March 24, 2023. (SkyBama/LSM)

Image 6 of 13

Significant damage in Amory, Mississippi after a tornado tore through on March 24, 2023. (SkyBama/LSM)

Image 7 of 13

Damage in Armory, Miss. from a tornado that struck on March 24, 2023. (Holly Barnes)

Image 8 of 13

Damage in Armory, Miss. from a tornado that struck on March 24, 2023. (Holly Barnes)

Image 9 of 13

  (MHP Greenwood/Twitter)

Image 10 of 13

Emergency vehicle line a road in Silver City, Mississippi, after a tornado hit the town March 24, 2023. (MHP Greenwood/Twitter)

Image 11 of 13

Damage seen after a tornado ripped through Silver City, Mississippi on March 24, 2023. (Mississippi Highway Patrol)

Image 12 of 13

Damage seen after a tornado ripped through Silver City, Mississippi on March 24, 2023. (Mississippi Highway Patrol)

Image 13 of 13

A tornado touched down in Silver City, Mississippi. (Mississippi Highway Patrol )

The president said he has been in contact with Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves and the state’s congressional delegation and offered "full federal support" for the recovery efforts. He said the Federal Emergency Management Agency has already deployed personnel and resources to the area.

"To those impacted by these devastating storms, and to the first responders and emergency personnel working to help their fellow Americans: we will do everything we can to help," Biden said. "We will be there as long as it takes. We will work together to deliver the support you need to recover."

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told FOX Weather on Saturday that she was working with state officials to get a federal disaster declaration approved for Mississippi. Reeves said he filed an expedited request for a major disaster declaration Saturday afternoon.

And by early Sunday morning, Pres. Joe Biden approved Mississippi’s disaster declaration, which will now make federal funding available to the victims of the deadly tornadoes in Carrol, Humphreys, Monroe and Sharkey counties.

That federal funding can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help people and business owners recover from the effects of the storms.