Nearly $5.8 Million In Disaster Aid Approved For Mississippians; 2,653 Have Applied For Assistance 

Release Date: May 14, 2003
Release Number: 1459-19

» More Information on Mississippi Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding

Jackson, MS -- A total of $5,751,856 in federal/state disaster aid has been approved for the State of Mississippi as a result of the April 6th through 14th, 2003 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. President Bush declared 28 Mississippi counties disaster areas at the request of Gov. Ronnie Musgrove on April 24.

As of today, 2,653 Mississippians have applied for the various forms of federal/state disaster assistance.

The counties in which residents are eligible for disaster aid are: Amite, Attala, Claiborne, Clarke, Copiah, Franklin, Hinds, Holmes, Issaquena, Jasper, Jefferson, Kemper, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Leake, Lincoln, Madison, Neshoba, Newton, Pike, Rankin, Scott, Simpson, Smith, Walthall, Warren, Wayne and Yazoo.

Anyone who suffered storm, tornado or flood damage April 6th through 14th should call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to apply for assistance. The speech or hearing impaired should call TTY 1-800-462-7585.

The following is a breakdown, to date, of the federal/state disaster aid approved for Mississippians:

"These funds will help thousands of Mississippians rebuild their homes as well as their lives. We are working closely with FEMA to ensure disaster aid is made available to storm victims as quickly as possible," said Gov. Musgrove.

Individuals, families and business owners who reside in the designated counties and who sustained disaster losses during the declared severe weather period are eligible for a wide range of disaster assistance programs.

Carlos Mitchell, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official in charge of the recovery effort, added, "Mississippians appear to be responding well to our request that they apply for disaster assistance by calling our toll-free application number 1-800-621-3362. This one call begins the long-term recovery process for federal/state disaster assistance."

FEMA's Public Assistance Program - the program that deals with public infrastructure disaster assistance - has $251,256 obligated to nine Mississippi counties to assist with the costs of debris removal, repair of roads, bridges, public buildings and utilities, and to help with overtime paid to police officers, firefighters and other emergency personnel. FEMA provides 75 percent funding for such projects, while the state and local applicants pay the remaining 25 percent.

The nine Mississippi counties declared eligible for the Public Assistance Program are: Clarke, Hinds, Lauderdale, Lincoln, Madison, Newton, Scott, Warren and Yazoo.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 14-May-2003 16:47:02