Community Relations Teams Working In Mississippi Disaster Damaged Areas 

Release Date: September 21, 2005
Release Number: 1604-029

» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina

Jackson, MS - Teams of community relations specialists from the Department of Homeland Security's FEMA are working with state and county emergency management directors in Mississippi to reach out to people affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Teams are canvassing communities in all of the disaster areas, offering individuals and small business owners information about available disaster assistance programs -- including grants to help pay for temporary disaster housing needs; grants for essential repairs needed to make a residence safe, sanitary and functional; low-interest loans to repair or replace damaged property; and replacement grants for serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs.

FEMA relies on community relations staffs not only to get the word out, but also to learn first hand the problems that communities and individuals in those communities are facing. Team members are going door-to-door to talk with individuals who have suffered damage or loss. They will also meet with representatives of community-based agencies, community leaders and public officials. When community relations staff identifies unmet needs, information will be communicated to the state or federal staff best able to respond.

Every effort is being made to attempt to inform disaster victims about the benefits available through a disaster declaration.

Team members will be reminding individuals that they can begin the disaster assistance process by calling FEMA's toll-free number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). For those with speech or hearing impairment, the special TTY number to call is 1 800-462-7585. Both numbers are available 24 hours a day every day until further notice. Individuals may also register for disaster assistance at the FEMA website www.fema.gov.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Thursday, 13-Oct-2005 06:39:37