April 29, 2010

GOVERNOR BARBOUR ANNOUNCES MISSISSIPPI COUNTIES RECEIVE
FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION

Governor Haley Barbour today announced residents and business owners can access federal emergency assistance programs after President Obama issued a federal disaster declaration for five Mississippi counties.

“I appreciate the decision by President Obama to declare these counties that suffered tremendous damage as federal disaster areas,” Governor Barbour said. “Recovering and rebuilding has already begun.  This disaster assistance will go a long way to helping our residents rebuild.  Mississippians are resilient. We’ve proven that before, and we will do it again.”

The disaster declaration qualifies the following counties for federal assistance: Attala, Choctaw, Holmes, Warren, and Yazoo.

Residents may register online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

“I encourage residents in this federal disaster area to call FEMA and apply for disaster assistance for which they may be eligible,” Governor Barbour said.

For more information call MEMA’s Public Information Line at 866-519-MEMA.