With 2024 half over, the good people of DeSoto Parish have seen their fair share of challenges. From record setting rainfalls to multiple confirmed tornadoes which have devastated our local communities, the people of this parish push on with grit, determination and unity. These natural disasters have resulted in three declared emergencies in 2024 for our parish from both the Office of the Governor and the Office of the President of the DeSoto Parish Police Jury. Rainfall accumulations have been recorded to be more than 50 inches for parts of DeSoto Parish. This information is available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The rainfall totals are daily observations from automated and human facilitated weather stations across DeSoto Parish.

As well, the DeSoto Parish Police Jury has been working diligently to navigate the bureaucratic waters that exist to access dollars available through the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOSHEP). These GOSHEP dollars are intended to provide the Jury with reimbursements of up to 75% of taxpayer dollars invested by the Jury to facilitate a debris removal program. At a special meeting on June 10, 2024, the jury authorized amending the road budget by one million dollars for a debris removal program and created the Disaster Relief Recovery Fund, which will be funded by those 75% reimbursements. This Disaster Relief Recovery Fund will be utilized for funding future debris removal programs authorized by declared emergencies.

These challenges are not something the jury faces alone. In partnership with the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, all our local Fire Departments, the EMS personnel, local lineman representing SWEPCO, CLECO, and Panola Harrison, local partners like Chesapeake and SWN, and the everyday resident who picks up a chainsaw or jumps into the seat of his/her tractor, this DeSoto Community comes together to pick up the pieces after a disaster. These partnerships keep us strong, united and determined to push forward. From myself and my staff at the DeSoto Parish Police Jury, I thank you all for your hard work. May the good Lord continue to bless this Parish.

Michael Norton
Parish Administrator
DeSoto Parish Police Jury