So, when does FEMA show up in Mississippi

[MineralMan]

and Alabama following the devastating severe weather that has killed 20 people?

I looked on the FEMA website, and there's nothing there in their news releases:

https://www.fema.gov/news-releases

Oh, Donald, your attention is required to set FEMA into action....Donald? Are you there?

[SoCalNative]

1. Depends

Have the governors of those states declared a state of emergency, and, more importantly, have they requested federal help?

[MineralMan]

3. Yes, apparently so.

http://krqe.com/2017/01/22/mississippi-to-request-federal-disaster-declaration-following-deadly-tornado/

[atreides1]

4. News report yesterday

http://www.10news.com/news/national/tornado-deaths-over-weekend-exceed-2016-toll

[atreides1]

2. Alternative Emergency Assistance!

It's like alternative facts!

[uppityperson]

5. They begin assessments this week, according to these stories

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/local/2017/01/23/tornado-recovery-continues-pine-belt/96975076/

(clip)
Teams from FEMA are expected to begin federal damage assessment in Forrest and Lamar counties Tuesday. After finishing up in those two counties, FEMA officials will move to Perry County for damage assessment.

http://m.walb.com/walb/db_330714/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=dpjqmf9x

(clip)
FEMA will be on site surveying the damage on Thursday.

These articles say they've been begging for help.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/officials-beg-trump-send-help-after-storms-kill-20-across-n711071
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/latest-weekend-tornadoes-south-carolina-confirmed-44981254

[kydo]

6. I think a state of emergency has to be declared by

the person holding the office of President before FEMA can act.