[DESOTO COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, January 20] Volunteers from across the state of Mississippi assembled this weekend with county officials in disaster recovery efforts to aid local residents with tornado damage that oc- curred on January 11.
“The finest bunch of people on this planet showed up for us this morning!” said storm victim Cyndy Lynne Alvarado.
The effort was primarily led by the community support group Citizens Militia of Mississippi (CMM) whose turnout and relief efforts have given aid, supplies and assistance to hundreds of victims of natural disasters in Mississippi for the past several years.
“My heart is warmed beyond measure by having witnessed so many folks stepping up to help others they don’t even know and may never see again,” said local resident Rep. Dan Eubanks, who also came to lend assistance. “These folks are giving of their time and money, and drove from places all around this great state to just be, well.....good.”
While monitoring the progress and receiving reports of damage from the severe storms and tornados that hit Mississippi early morning Saturday, CMM Commander Bobby Mitchell began immediately organizing a re- sponse effort. “We were in contact with locals in the area who had some very serious and very hazardous dam- age that would require a good deal of people to solve so we made the decision to activate and call for any of our volunteer members who were able to come and help,” he said. “It was a great effort by all present.”
Volunteers came from DeSoto, Tate, Carroll, Rankin and Covington Counties. Upon their arrival at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, while the storm was still raging, they met with Board of Supervisors Dist. Five Supervisor Michael Lee, who was glad to accept the offer of assistance. “I knew where the damage was and they didn’t hesitate,” he said of the group. “We went back over the affected areas, I saw what they did, and I heard from property own- ers. They did a great job. We really appreciate them coming and helping us in this time of need in our county.”
Bearing diesel fuel and a generator, chainsaws, tarps and other equipment, members set out working to clear the debris from dozens of local homes and roads in parts of the county and in Hernando. CMM Member Billy May said, “We cleared a few of the roads, but the main thing we did was clear out the driveways to people’s houses and cut limbs off the rooftops. If they had a hole in the roof we would help repair it and put a tarp over it.”
During the relief efforts, May said that by Sunday, people cut off from road access all the previous day were steadily appearing, asking for assistance, which the group was glad to provide. This service cleared the way for ambulances and medical first responders to assist storm victims with urgent medical needs. They also distrib- uted water, toiletries and meals to homes with no water or electricity.
Citizens Militia of Mississippi is a volunteer-based organization with the goal of protecting Mississippi commu- nities. For more information, please call Bobby Mitchell at 662-710-7468.
