WBRZ - Baton Rouge

JACKSON - President Barack Obama has declared,parts of Mississippi a disaster area after a tornado Sunday heavily damaged homes.

Obama signed the declaration Wednesday and ordered federal aid to assist state and local recovery efforts in Forrest and Lamar counties, which were affected by Sunday's tornado and resulting severe weather.

The National Weather Service says the tornado had maximum winds of 170 mph and forged a path three-quarters of a mile wide.

Disaster assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover.