Hurricane Katrina Mississippi Recovery Update: December 2008 

Release Date: January 8, 2009
Release Number: 1604-694

» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina

BILOXI, Miss. -- The following is a summary of Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in Mississippi as of Dec. 29, 2008:

Individual support continues with nearly $1.3 billion to individuals and families affected by Hurricane Katrina:

More than 2,800 Mississippi families moved from FEMA temporary housing to Mississippi Cottage units. The Mississippi Cottage was developed through the Mississippi Alternative Housing Program, which is administered by MEMA and is funded by a $280 million federal grant. For more information about the program, visit www.mscottage.org. The goal of the program was to develop and produce a safer, more comfortable temporary housing unit for use after a disaster. The program is drawing to a close in early 2009. Less than 2,400 cottages remain occupied. MEMA continues to work with local communities to develop permanent housing options for cottage residents.

Through an intra-agency agreement between FEMA and the U.S. Coast Guard, the marine debris removal effort restores Mississippi's coastal and inland waterways: 

More than $2.8 billion has been obligated in various Public Assistance (PA) categories for infrastructure damage caused by Hurricane Katrina:

MEMA administers PA funds. To date, MEMA has disbursed more than $1.67 billion to Hurricane Katrina PA applicants for debris removal and rebuilding projects including bridges, public buildings
and utilities.

Preparing today for tomorrow's disasters:

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: Monday, 12-Jan-2009 14:13:22