Hurricane Katrina Mississippi Recovery Update: March 2009
Release Date: April 8, 2009
Release Number: 1604-707
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Biloxi, Miss. -- The following is a summary of Mississippi recovery efforts from Aug. 29, 2005 through April 1, 2009:
Individual support continues with nearly $1.3 billion to individuals and families:
- 274,760 individuals and families have been approved for more than $1.2 billion in Individuals and Households Program funding;
- 216,558 individuals and families have been approved for Housing Assistance totaling more than $851 million;
- 134,936 Mississippians have been approved for more than $416 million in Other Needs Assistance (ONA);
- 2,094 temporary housing units (travel trailers and mobile homes) are currently in service. More than 41,000 units have been deactivated;
- 1,180 total occupied units in the three lower counties.
- Hancock 254
- Harrison 581
- Jackson 345
More than 2,800 Mississippi families have moved from FEMA temporary housing to Mississippi Cottages. The Mississippi Cottage is a part of 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.
More than $2.8 billion has been obligated in various Public Assistance (PA) categories:
- More than $697 million obligated for land-based debris removal. To date, more than 46 million cubic yards of debris has been removed - that's equal to a football field stacked approximately 4.9 miles high.
- $879 million to repair public utilities;
- $617 million to repair or replace public buildings;
- $398 million for emergency protective measures;
- $84 million to repair roads and bridges;
- $1.2 million to repair water control devices such as ditches and irrigation channels.
- $168 million to repair and restore public recreational facilities such as state parks;
- $156 million to meet the costs of administering the PA grants.
MEMA administers PA funds. To date, MEMA has disbursed more than $1.73 billion of the $2.8 billion obligated by FEMA to PA applicants.
Preparing today for tomorrow's disasters:
- FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) brings together federal, state and local governments to prepare communities for future disaster events by providing grants to implement long-term solutions for protecting lives and property.
- MEMA, as designated by the governor of Mississippi, administers the HMGP. MEMA provides eligible grant applicants with assistance in mitigation planning, project selection, application development and reimbursement.
- Currently, FEMA has approved 239 applications for new Hazard Mitigation projects totaling $162,479,135 in obligated funding.
- In March 2009, more than $9.8 million was obligated for 21 HMGP projects throughout the state.
- 3,499 individual and community saferooms and storm shelters have been funded for $10,620,054 in mitigation funds.
- More than $7.5 million in federal funding was approved for 13 FEMA 361 shelters at Wayne County Schools.
- Across the state, 280 jurisdictions have MEMA/FEMA approved Hazard Mitigation plans.
- Specific efforts are being directed to upgrade critical facilities against wind and flood risk, and construct additional general population and special needs shelters. Technical assistance for engineering, architectural design, environmental and benefit cost analysis review is being provided to the state.
- The amount of funding available for the HMGP following a disaster is 7.5 percent of the total amount of federal assistance. $393 million in HMGP funds has been allocated for Mississippi as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
Last Modified: Thursday, 16-Apr-2009 15:35:24