Kemper, Neshoba And Rankin Counties Designated For Public Assistance
Release Date: May 19, 2003
Release Number: 1459-27
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Jackson, MS -- Disaster assistance for Kemper, Neshoba and Rankin counties has been expanded to include aid for local governments affected by the April 6th through 25th severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Mississippi, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today.
Michael D. Brown, FEMA director and Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Department of Homeland Security, said the additional assistance was approved following a review of damage data gathered by federal and state disaster recovery officials. Under the original declaration issued by President Bush on April 24th, the counties were designated for aid to individuals, households and business owners.
"Our continuing commitment is not only to help meet the recovery needs of devastated families and businesses," Brown said, "but to ensure that the vital community services they also depend on are restored as quickly and efficiently as possible."
Under the expanded assistance, Brown said affected local governments in the three counties are eligible to apply for federal funds to pay 75 percent of the approved cost for debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities such as roads, buildings and utilities.
Procedures for requesting the assistance will be explained at a series of applicant briefings at locations to be announced shortly by state and federal disaster officials.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 20-May-2003 09:29:44