May 1, 2010

GOVERNOR BARBOUR ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL MISSISSIPPI COUNTIES TO RECEIVE FEDERAL AID

Governor Haley Barbour today announced federal assistance was expanded for Mississippi counties, allowing residents and local governments to access federal emergency assistance programs to aid recovery from the April 24 storms.

Affected residents in Monroe and Union counties are eligible for Individual Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. They join Attala, Choctaw, Holmes, Warren and Yazoo counties as qualifying for Individual Assistance.

Local governments in Attala, Choctaw, Holmes and Yazoo counties will now receive all available Public Assistance from the federal government for recovery needs. FEMA notified Governor Barbour today of its decision. 

“I appreciate FEMA’s decision to expand aid to additional Mississippi counties that were in the path of this destructive storm,” Governor Barbour said. “State and federal officials continue to assess the damage in all of the communities that were hit by severe weather last week. Our priority is helping Mississippians affected by these storms rebuild their lives.”

Damage assessments continue in Warren, Issaquena and Monroe counties. The state today requested Individual Assistance for Oktibbeha County.

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.

Individual Assistance programs available to families and individuals will include the Individuals and Households Program, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Legal Services, the Disaster Food Stamp Program and Small Business Administration loans.

Public Assistance makes these counties eligible to receive federal funding for emergency protective measures required following the storms. This may include eligible debris removal costs and the repair of infrastructure.

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