Hurricane Katrina Mississippi Recovery Update: Week 55
Release Date: September 15, 2006
Release Number: 1604-442
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BILOXI, Miss. -- Federal grants have now topped $9 billion to lend a hand to Mississippi in its recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
The funds, approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have been disbursed through the Individual Assistance and Public Assistance programs. Individual Assistance helps with housing and other needs that cannot be met through other forms of disaster assistance or insurance. Grants are awarded to state and local governments and certain nonprofit entities through the Public Assistance program to provide assistance for debris removal, to implement emergency protective measures and to permanently restore infrastructure. Funding is also available through Public Assistance for hazard mitigation measures.
The federal grants are matched, in varying percentages, by the state. Mississippi disburses the federal and the state share of funds to applicants. Thus far through this process, Mississippi has disbursed $780 million to public assistance applicants for rebuilding projects including bridges, public buildings and utilities.
FEMA continues to work closely with applicants, local and state organizations and voluntary agencies in rebuilding Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. Grants are being approved and disbursed through the following programs:
More than $1.2 billion to individuals and families:
- 216,275 individuals and families have been approved for Housing Assistance totaling about $846 million;
- 133,672 Mississippi Katrina survivors received about $409 million in Other Needs Assistance.
More than $1 billion was approved for the following Public Assistance (not including debris removal):
- $299 million for emergency protective measures;
- $317 million to repair public facilities;
- $277 million to restore public utilities;
- $52 million to restore public recreational facilities such as state parks;
- $24 million to repair roads and bridges; and
- $1.5 million to repair water control devices such as reservoirs and irrigation channels.
About $1.3 billion has been approved for land-based debris removal. About $231 million will be disbursed for marine debris removal:
- Nearly 45 million cubic yards or 100 percent of eligible land-based debris has been removed from public and private property in 79 of 82 counties;
- FEMA has given a six-month extension for the removal of debris in the inundated areas of the three coastal counties; there are 790,750 cubic yards of debris remaining in that surge area;
- The U.S. Coast Guard has cleared 19,242 cubic yards or about 1.5 percent of marine debris. Marine debris removal will be 100 percent federally funded until May 15, 2007.
Other assistance:
- More than $2.4 billion was paid by FEMA through its National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to 16,939 policy holders;
- Nearly $3.2 billion was paid by FEMA to other federal agencies to complete specific tasks or mission assignments during response and recovery such as emergency medical assistance and debris removal;
- More than 35,000 FEMA-provided temporary housing units are currently occupied.
- More than $2 billion in loans to 30,856 homeowners and renters;
- More than $516 million to 4,274 businesses;
- About $18.7 million to 324 small business owners for working capital.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 27-Sep-2006 10:48:53