Monday Is Last Day To Apply For Disaster Assistance 

Release Date: June 19, 2003
Release Number: 1459-55

» More Information on Mississippi Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding

Jackson, MS -- Monday, June 23rd, is the last day for residents of Amite, Attala, Claiborne, Clarke, Copiah, Franklin, Hinds, Holmes, Issaquena, Jasper, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Kemper, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Leake, Lincoln, Madison, Marion, Neshoba, Newton, Pearl River, Pike, Rankin, Scott, Simpson, Smith, Walthall, Warren, Wayne and Yazoo counties to apply for federal and state disaster assistance under President Bush's disaster declaration of April 24, 2003.

Officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) urge residents of the above counties who sustained damage during the April 6th through 25th severe storms, tornadoes and flooding to call now and apply for assistance.

"If anyone in the 31-county area who sustained damage during the April severe weather has not applied yet for disaster aid they have only until Monday to do so. All it takes is one toll-free phone call to FEMA's application line, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to apply. The speech or hearing impaired can call TTY 1-800-462-7585," said Leon Shaifer, the state official in charge of long-term disaster recovery. "As we've stressed before, even if you had insurance, apply anyway to protect yourself from future-found storm damage. Many times storm related structural damage doesn't appear until after the deadline to apply for assistance has passed."

After the application deadline, FEMA's toll-free phone line still will be available to assist those who have already registered. Applicants who have questions about the disaster assistance programs or questions about the status of their previously filed applications should continue to use FEMA's toll-free number.

Federal Coordinating Officer, Carlos Mitchell, added, "To date more than 12,380 Mississippians have applied for some form of disaster assistance. Had those people not made that all-important phone call to FEMA, they would not be included in that number. More than $28 million has been approved for Mississippians as of yesterday. If anyone has storm damage resulting from the April 6th through 25th severe weather, don't delay; call 1-800-621-3362, or 1-800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired immediately. The deadline to apply is only four days away, Monday, June 23rd."

Applications for long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration must also be completed and returned by Monday, June 23rd.

Last Modified: Thursday, 19-Jun-2003 09:24:06