Hurricane Katrina Recovery Update: Week 25 

$6.7 billion

To date, FEMA has approved nearly $6.7 billion in federal funding to aid Mississippians through various Individual Assistance and Public Assistance programs, as well as mission assignments, which FEMA tasked to other federal agencies.

$2.2 billion

FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has paid more than $2.2 billion in flood insurance claims to policyholders in Mississippi . The NFIP plays a critical role in encouraging communities to adopt, implement and enforce broader floodplain-management regulations and programs.

$1.5 billion

The U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance Program has approved more than $1.5 billion in low-interest loans for homeowners, renters and business owners throughout Mississippi .

$1.1 billion

More than $1.1 billion in assistance has been disbursed to nearly 270,000 Mississippi households that have registered through FEMA's Individuals and Households Program (IHP). The IHP consists of Housing Assistance, which may be used to pay for rent, repair or housing construction and Other Needs Assistance (ONA) which may be provided for uninsured or under-insured disaster-related necessary expenses. ONA is a cost-share program which is 75 percent federally funded, 25 percent state funded.

$747 million

The Public Assistance program has obligated nearly $747 million for emergency work and infrastructure repair. This includes $423 million for debris removal, $42.5 million to repair public facilities, $212 million for emergency protective measures, $4 million to repair roads and bridges and $50 million to restore public utilities. 

34 million

Almost 34 million cubic yards of debris has been removed from public and private property so far. FEMA continues to reimburse Mississippi 100 percent for this expense and will do so until March 15, 2006.

515,600

More than 515,600 Mississippians have registered for assistance through the FEMA toll-free number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for speech- or hearing-impaired applicants or online at www.fema.gov .

  900

More than 900 Community Relations (CR) field personnel have operated throughout Mississippi since the beginning of disaster response and recovery efforts. CR field teams visit communities and distribute resource materials, providing personalized assistance and helpful information to individuals, community-based organizations and local officials affected by the disaster. There are currently 40 CR field personnel working in Mississippi .

13

Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) operate throughout Mississippi to assist people affected by Hurricane Katrina. More than 426,000 Mississippians have visited DRCs since the first one opened Sept. 6, 2005, just days after Hurricane Katrina made landfall.

  11

March 11, 2006, is the deadline for new applications to FEMA's Individuals and Households Program. Federal and state officials encourage households affected by Hurricane Katrina to seek aid. Assistance to current applicants will continue to be provided after this date, but no new applications will be accepted.

  2

Two easy ways to register for disaster assistance. Call the toll-free FEMA Helpline number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 OR register online at www.fema.gov . People can also call the FEMA Helpline, at the same number, to provide additional information or to inquire about the status of an existing registration .