WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker announced Friday the approval of $18.6 million in emergency relief to repair or reconstruct flood-damaged transportation infrastructure.

The U.S. Department of Transportation will award the funding to the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to repair flood damage to federal-aid highways and roads on federal lands in various locations around the state.

“Flooding, particularly in the Yazoo Backwater, has undermined the integrity of roads and highways. Federal emergency transportation relief money will help us repair and restore these important routes,” Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said.

Mississippi Department of Transportation will receive $18.5 million in Emergency Relief Program funding, while $125,000 in emergency relief for the Federally Owned Roads Program will go to the Army Corps of Engineers. Eligible repair work includes projects to restore essential traffic, minimize further damage, or protect facilities.

“I commend Secretary Elaine Chao and the U.S. Department of Transportation for approving Mississippi’s request for emergency relief funds to repair roads and bridges damaged by recent flooding across our state,” Wicker said. “These funds will help support recovery efforts and ensure residents can travel safely to and from their homes and businesses.”

On Aug. 22, four counties submerged by Yazoo Backwater floodwaters for most of the year qualified for federal disaster assistance under the major disaster declaration approved by President Trump in April. Those counties include Issaquena, Sharkey, Warren and Yazoo.