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I hope you saw my latest weekly column.
ROGER WICKER: Earlier Warnings Would Save Lives
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As accustomed as we Mississippians are to dealing with tornado damage, the
past several weeks have been especially difficult. Violent and deadly storms
tore swaths of destruction on back-to-back weekends, resulting in disaster
declarations for 11 of our counties. Though the road to recovery will be long,
I am heartened to see the resilience of our affected communities. As a part of
the government’s long-term response to these events, I have reintroduced
legislation that would improve tornado forecasting and warning systems in an
effort to save lives.
Legislation Would Help Increase Storm-Warning Time
Minutes matter when a tornado is on the way. Every second is an opportunity to
seek shelter, which is especially important when storms come at night. This was
the case when tragedy struck in Rolling Fork. The EF-4 tornado hit well after
dark, and residents reportedly had difficulty hearing the sirens. I applaud the
storm chaser who supplemented the alarms by driving the streets of the town
warning citizens to seek shelter.
Scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) use a
combination of radar and supercomputer models to predict and detect storms.
When NOAA spots a tornado, it sends warning signals to areas in the storm’s
path. The TORNADO Act I introduced would direct NOAA to update their models and
use the full resources of today’s technological capabilities to improve warning
systems. It would also require NOAA to improve its post-storm assessments to
increase our understanding of the signs that precede bad weather. These changes
will help raise the quality and speed of our tornado alerts.
Other senators see the value in the TORNADO Act, and nine have already backed
it. I will continue working to secure support for this legislation and press
for a vote in the Senate Commerce Committee without delay.
Mississippians Take Care of One Another
When I traveled across the state to survey the damage from last month’s
storms, I promised Mississippians we would be in this together for the long
haul. This week, the entire Mississippi congressional delegation sent a letter
to President Biden asking him to grant Governor Reeves’s request for a 30-day
extension on FEMA’s 100 percent cost share aid. These funds would bolster the
valiant work of local and state governments and volunteer organizations on the
ground.
I have also been encouraged to see the continued attention our state is
receiving. Good Morning America host and Pass Christian native Robin Roberts
held a live broadcast in Rolling Fork to showcase recovery efforts. Amory's
Zachariah Smith, an American Idol favorite, filmed a video for nationwide
broadcast highlighting how his town is coming together after the storm.
Goodyear has pledged to pay employees while the tornado-damaged Cooper Tire
plant in Tupelo is repaired. I am proud to say volunteers statewide have
rallied to support their fellow Mississippians. Residents of Natchez filled an
18-wheeler with supplies for the Rolling Fork community, and the senior class
at Gulfport’s West Harrison High School led a drive that brought in over 1,000
donations of clothes, toiletries, canned goods, and more. Stories like these
exemplify the tradition of goodwill that has long characterized our state.
After the debris is cleared, the camera crews have left, and the rebuilding
phase has begun, we will continue to walk alongside our neighbors. This
legislation and FEMA aid are two steps along that journey.
You can click here to share my Op-Ed with your friends on Facebook!
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Thank you for your support,
Senator Roger Wicker
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