FEMA Expands Public Assistance To Help Mississippi Rebuild Hurricane-Ravaged Infrastructure
Release Date: September 13, 2005
Release Number: 1604-015
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Jackson, MS - The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has expanded its infrastructure funding to cover the cost of restoring roads, bridges and other public infrastructure in 43 Mississippi counties slammed by Hurricane Katrina, federal and state disaster officials announced today.
Under FEMA's Public Assistance Program, state and local agencies, Indian tribes and certain non-profits already could apply for federal funding for hurricane-related emergency protective services and debris removal in all 82 Mississippi counties.
The federal disaster declaration has been amended, effective Sept. 11, to make 43 of the storm-ravaged counties also eligible for funding to restore damaged and destroyed public facilities and buildings operated by non-profits that provide essential services of a governmental nature. "This funding is vital for rebuilding the infrastructure that Hurricane Katrina left in ruins," said Robert Latham, director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
Applicants may submit applications for a wide array of projects, including the reconstruction or repair of roads, bridges, public buildings and equipment, utilities, water control facilities, parks and recreational facilities. "FEMA determined that many Mississippi counties needed the full range of Public Assistance to help put Mississippi's damaged communities on the road to recovery," said Federal Coordinating Officer William Carwile.
The Mississippi counties now eligible for the full range of Public Assistance funding are: Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Clarke, Copiah, Covington, Forrest, Franklin, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Hinds, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Kemper, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Leake, Lincoln, Lowndes, Madison, Marion, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Rankin, Scott, Simpson, Smith, Stone, Walthall, Wayne, Wilkinson and Winston counties.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Thursday, 13-Oct-2005 06:19:51