May 7, 2014 More than $1.3 Million in Federal Assistance Approved for Mississippi Storm Survivors-FEMA

Release date: 

MAY 7, 2014

Release Number: 

DR-4175-MS NR 007

PEARL, Miss. – Less than 10 days after severe storms, tornadoes and flooding swept across Mississippi, more than $1.3 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency grant assistance has been approved to help those affected by the storms.

More than 2,100 people have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance.

In addition to FEMA grants for individuals and families, other forms of disaster assistance are provided by partner agencies such as the U.S. Small Business Administration, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. FEMA often refers survivors to those agencies. All businesses are also referred to the SBA. Other callers may be interested in other programs such as disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.

The following is a snapshot of the disaster recovery effort as of May 7:

• More than 200 households approved for FEMA grants for homeowners and renters, including:
  • More than $978,000 approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
  • Nearly $327,000 approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
• 428 home inspections completed.
• 891 visits to disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.
• 5 disaster recovery centers currently open.

No matter the degree of loss or insurance coverage, survivors in the 12 disaster-designated Mississippi counties are urged to apply for help. Designated counties include Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston. Survivors can use any of the following methods to register:

• By phone, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) People who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY should call 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. Assistance is available in most languages.
• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• By tablet or smartphone, use the FEMA app or go to m.fema.gov.