Disaster Aid Surpasses $1 Million 

Release Date: May 24, 2008
Release Number: 1753-009

» More Information on Mississippi Severe Storms and Flooding

CLINTON, Miss. -- More than $1 million in disaster aid has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through May 22 for 172 applicants in Bolivar, Warren, Washington and Wilkinson Counties as a result of the severe storms and flooding which began March 20.

Of that amount, $873,410 was approved for housing assistance and $133,031 for other disaster-related needs. As of May 22, rental assistance has been approved for 124 applicants.

"We are pleased with the way Mississippians who need disaster assistance have applied so far,” said Michael L. Parker, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer. “Residents who sustained damage during the March 20 through May 19 severe weather period and who have not yet applied for assistance should do so immediately.”

To register, call FEMA’s toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), and provide some basic information about the damaged property. The hearing- or speech-impaired should call
TDD 1-800-462-7585. Multilingual assistance is available.

FEMA cautions storm victims not to disqualify themselves because they have insurance. Often people learn later that they are underinsured and would have been better financially protected if they had applied for disaster assistance. Those who sustained damage should apply to FEMA whether they are insured or not. FEMA can then make the determination if disaster assistance is appropriate.

After you register, a FEMA inspector will visit your damaged property to make an evaluation to determine eligibility for assistance. Currently, inspectors are inspecting properties within three days of registration.

“Storm victims should not hesitate to register for federal and state disaster aid,” said MEMA Director Mike Womack. “This assistance can be in the form of reimbursement for rental payments, grants for home repair or to replace personal property. It is not welfare; it is your tax dollars at work.”

More than 397 storm victims from the four-county area declared for disaster assistance on May 8 have registered. The county breakdown is as follows:

Bolivar 129
Washington 100
Warren 101
Wilkinson 67

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued 290 disaster loan applications to storm victims. If you are a homeowner or renter, you must submit your application in order to be considered for FEMA assistance. If SBA determines that you as a homeowner or renter cannot afford a loan, they will refer you to FEMA for possible grant assistance.

To date, 466 individuals have visited FEMA/MEMA’s four Disaster Recovery Centers to check on the status of their applications or to inquire about the various disaster-aid programs. A county breakdown of visitors to the DRCs follows:

Bolivar 134
Washington 116
Warren 140
Wilkinson 76

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 27-May-2008 09:17:02