The survivors of the Mississippi tornado are waiting for help while Trump revises fema

By Sophie Bates, Associated Press

Tyletown, Miss. (AP) – More than two months after a tornado destroyed his house, Brian Lowery always looks at the rubble, hoping to find a clip with a tie that his mother gave him, made from the central stone of his alliance.

“I still have hope,” said LowerY.

Lowery considers herself lucky. He, his wife and his 13 -year -old son went safe before the tornado eliminates the 15 -year -old house. Despite his positive perspectives, LowerY admits that he is frustrated; The request for federal help of the Mississippi is still pending before the Federal Emergency Management AgencyThis means that help does not yet need to go to its hard -hit community in Tyletown.

“I don't know what you have to do or what you need to be declared for a federal disaster area because it's pretty bad,” said LowerY. “We cannot help you because, no matter, we are waiting for a letter; we are waiting for someone to sign their name. You know, all that. I'm just over.”

The Mississippi Republican Governor Tate Reeves asked the Trump administration a major statement in the event of a disaster on April 1 after 18 tornadoes torn the state On March 14 and 15, killing seven people and hundreds of houses destroyed or damaged.

The declaration would allow the State to access a wide range of FEMA resources, including financial assistance for individuals and government agencies by always removing debris and repairing infrastructure.

“We have no declaration yet. People are still suffering, “said Royce McKee, director of emergency management at Walthall County, who includes Tyletown.

The Mississippi's request comes at a time of upheaval for FEMA. The agency's interim administrator, Cameron Hamilton, was recently ousted After being publicly disagreed with the dismantling proposals of FEMA, An idea that President Donald Trump floated By calling the “very bureaucratic” and “very slow” agency.

David Richardson, new acting administrator of FEMA, is committed to executing Trump's vision For the agency. He also previewed potential policy changes, claiming that there could be “more costs sharing with states” and that FEMA would coordinate federal aid “When deemed necessary.”

The county of Walthall was particularly affected by the massive storm system which has wreaked havoc in several states. The storm caused two important tornadoes in the county, where four people died.

McKee said the county has flowed about $ 700,000 to clean the damage, but cannot afford to spend more and has interrupted operations until it receives federal aid.

“We need federal aid, and we need it desperately, and we need it now,” said Bobby McGinnis, Tyletown resident and firefighter. “I know that President Trump said that – America first, we will first help our American people. But we have not seen federal people here.”

While the Mississippi awaits, a request for a similar major disaster of the Arkansas after the time was refused, was invoked by the Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and finally approved on May 13.