MS SC538

Request the Governor declare a state of emergency in Mississippi counties experiencing economic losses from drought-related pine beetle outbreak and dead tree removal

Affected area covers approximately 2.5 million acres with 811,111 beetle spots across 80,415 acres and an estimated 12.5 million dead trees by December 2023

Estimated total economic impact loss of $96 million from damage to power lines, utility rights-of-way, road rights-of-way, and residential/commercial properties

Pine beetle outbreaks follow two to three-year cycles with the second year historically worse; beetles have not wintered normally and continued killing trees through winter months

Authorize Mississippi Emergency Management Agency to implement action and relief programs to address damages that exceed local resources' capacity to manage