The Smith County Emergency Management Agency is a multi-function agency whose primary duty is to prepare, respond and recover from several types of natural, man-made and technological disasters that may occur in the county. These disasters include severe weather emergencies such as large thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, large fires and hazardous materials incidents.

The agency is lead by a director who oversees all emergency operations within the county and coordinates emergency planning with the Board of Supervisors, the general public, and the emergency agencies within the county. The director also serves as the county's liaison to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

The agency is also tasked with educating the public on hazard mitigation, safety education, and disaster assistance programs. These programs include CPR training, severe weather terminology training, storm spotter training, weather radio programming, fire and flood insurance information, and other preventative training programs.

Smith County Emergency Management Agency
Heather Easterling, Director
P.O. Box 1107
Raleigh, MS 39153
Phone: 601-782-9151
​Fax: 601-782-4081 

Mandated to Inform, Protect, and Recover.

Under the laws of the State of Mississippi, the county emergency management agency is charged with the following tasks to ensure that the well-being of life and property within the county is protected.

» To provide emergency management planning for Smith County
» Maintain and staff the Smith County EOC
» Provide 24 hour response to emergencies and disasters
» Provide emergency notification to multiple response agencies
» Provide liaison with local, state, and federal authorities during major emergencies and disasters
» Develop, coordinate and conduct emergency management training and exercise programs
» Coordinate, advise and assist political subdivision, businesses and the populace in the county regarding emergency management procedures, programs and policies.
» Develop plans relative to the County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) in support of public health and safety.
» To increase public awareness concerning home safety, storm safety, etc. through a public awareness program.
» To initiate and maintain hazardous materials protection for the county through the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)
» To provide safety to the citizens and visitors of Smith County
» To provide overall emergency management coordination and guidance during major emergencies within the county

Get Notified.

The Smith County Emergency Management Agency is pleased to provide severe weather notifications in a partnership with CodeRED. Residents of the county can sign up for this free service and receive text message alerts to their wireless phone whenever severe weather strikes.

Respond and Recover.

The Smith County Emergency Management Agency, in partnership with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, has implemented a new tool called Crisis Tract. Crisis Tract allows county residents to report any residential or business damage that they may see or experience from a storm or other disaster. This information is invaluable to first-responders and emergency management personnel as it allows for a faster response and reduces the time needed to survey damage. You can submit information if you receive damage to your resident or business structure. Driveways, fences, sheds, barns, etc., are not considered structural damage. Once you submit a request, EMA will send out a damage assessment team from our office in Raleigh to assess your property. 

submit a damage report on crisis tract

Be Prepared.

Your state, county, and local governments are prepared to respond after any weather event, but the first level of preparedness starts with YOU. Make sure that you get your family ready now. Know where you will go and what supplies you will need to take with you. Prepare for days, perhaps weeks without electricity after the storm passes. Be sure to discuss your evacuation plan and have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts and warnings.​