Public Assistance Deadline Extended 

Release Date: November 4, 2005
Release Number: 1604-107

» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina

JACKSON, Miss. -- The community, schools districts, roads, utilities and other public facilities damaged by Hurricane Katrina may be eligible for federal or state financial assistance. Government agencies, special districts and certain private non-profit organizations that provide important services to the community are encouraged to apply before the Nov. 30, 2005 deadline.

"Public Assistance is an important program designed to help ensure critical services are available in communities," said Nick Russo, deputy federal coordinating officer.

"In an ongoing effort to better serve the communities affected by Katrina, we have established a special phone line for government agencies, special districts and private non-profits to request assistance."

Government agencies, special districts and private non-profits can request an application packet for disaster assistance by calling (601) 965-2596 between the hours of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., or file online at www.mississippipa.org.

The Public Assistance program provides grant funds to eligible municipalities, government agencies and qualified private non-profit organizations for costs of debris removal, emergency protective measures, road repairs, repair of water control facilities, and restoration of buildings, utilities and recreational facilities.

"We applaud FEMA for encouraging government agencies and private non-profits affected by Katrina to apply for assistance that may be available to them,'' said Robert Latham, director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

The eligible counties are Adams, Alcorn, Amite, Attala, Benton, Bolivar, Calhoun, Carroll, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Claiborne, Clarke, Clay, Coahoma, Copiah, Covington, DeSoto, Forrest, Franklin, George, Grenada, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Hinds, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Itawamba, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Kemper, Lafayette, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Leake, Leflore, Lee, Lincoln, Lowndes, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Monroe, Montgomery, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Panola, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Quitman, Rankin, Scott, Sharkey, Simpson, Smith, Stone, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Tunica, Union, Walthall, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Wilkinson, Winston, Yalobusha, and Yazoo.

Individuals who have not registered can begin the application assistance process by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the speech- or hearing impaired.

Public Assistance photos:

Pass Christian, Miss., September 19, 2005 -- What remains of the Middle School in Pass Christian, Miss. Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage all along the Mississippi gulf coast. FEMA/Mark Wolfe
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Biloxi, Miss., September 21, 2005 -- The U.S. Highway 90 bridge east of Biloxi, Miss. is totally destroyed. Hurricane Katrina caused destruction all along the Mississippi gulf coast. FEMA/Mark Wolfe
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Pass Christian, Miss., September 14, 2005 -- The City Hall of Pass Christian was destroyed in the storm. Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage all along the Mississippi gulf coast. FEMA/Mark Wolfe
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Gulfport, Miss., September 22, 2005 -- Cherilyn Widdel, Patrick Sparks and William Majure discuss the characteristics of the old bricks from the damaged old courthouse in Gulfport, Miss. FEMA is concerned with restoring historic structures where possible. FEMA/Mark Wolfe
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Biloxi, Miss., September 26, 2005 -- Contractors are working on restoring the beachfront in Biloxi, Mississippi. Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage all along the Mississippi gulf coast. FEMA/Mark Wolfe
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Pass Christian, Miss., September 14, 2005 -- Books are strewn about outside the Pass Christian Public Library. Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage all along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. FEMA/Mark Wolfe
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Hancock County, Miss., September 21, 2005 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has an operation set up at the Hancock County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Hancock County was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina. FEMA/Mark Wolfe
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Biloxi, Miss., September 4, 2005 -- Technicians repair power lines in Biloxi, Miss. Hurricane Katrina caused major power outages all along the Mississippi gulf coast. New Orleans has been evacuated because of flooding caused by hurricane Katrina. FEMA/Mark Wolfe
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Last Modified: Monday, 07-Nov-2005 12:21:02