Nearly $3.3 Million in Disaster Assistance Distributed to Mississippi Storm Survivors

PEARL, Miss. – Nearly $3.3 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been disbursed to help those affected by the storms and flooding in Mississippi that began March 9, 2016.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has been contacted by nearly 2,200 people for help or information regarding disaster assistance.

In addition to FEMA grants for individuals and families, other forms of disaster assistance are provided by partner agencies such as the U.S. Small Business Administration and voluntary agencies. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and FEMA often refer survivors to those agencies. All businesses are also referred to the SBA.

The following is a snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of April 4:

• Nearly $3.3 million has been distributed in individuals and households  grants, including:
  • More than $2.6 million for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
  • More than $630,000 to cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
• 1,297 home inspections completed.
• 762 visits to disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.
• Four disaster recovery centers open in Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman and Washington counties.

No matter the degree of loss or insurance coverage, survivors who sustained damage in the 16 disaster-designated Mississippi counties are urged to apply for help. The Individual Assistance-designated counties are Bolivar, Clarke, Coahoma, Forrest, George, Greene, Jones, Marion, Panola, Pearl River, Perry, Quitman, Sunflower, Tunica, Washington and Wayne.

People who sustained disaster-related damage in any of the 16 designated Mississippi counties can register for assistance by calling FEMA’s helpline at 800-621-3362, which is video relay service accessible. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have difficulty speaking may call             TTY 800-462-7585. Helpline hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice. Survivors can also register online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Survivors can speak in person with state, federal and voluntary agency representatives by visiting a disaster recovery center. Centers are open in Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman and Washington counties. Centers are planned in additional counties in the coming days. To locate the nearest center, call the FEMA helpline or go to fema.gov/drc.

For more information on Mississippi’s recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4268 or visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency site at msema.org.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.