STATE/FEMA Assistance to Mississippi Disaster Survivors Tops $3 Million

HATTIESBURG, Miss., March 16 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:

Nearly two months since President Trump declared a major disaster after the Jan. 21 severe storms and tornadoes in Mississippi, more than $3 million in assistance to individuals and households has been approved by MEMA and FEMA.

This includes nearly $2.2 million in FEMA housing assistance - grant money for repairing and rebuilding homes and temporary rental assistance. Nearly $850,000 in MEMA and FEMA other needs assistance also has been approved to help survivors with disaster-related expenses such as repairing or replacing lost or damaged personal property and medical, dental and funeral costs.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $5.5 million in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses to help with repair and rebuilding costs and to help cover other disaster-related financial needs.

Whole community is key to recovery

For survivors with remaining needs beyond what insurance and federal disaster assistance can provide, MEMA and FEMA are working closely with R3SM, the local community-based long-term recovery organization. R3SM matches survivors who have unmet needs with appropriate resources to help them fully recover.

Numerous nonprofit and faith-based organizations are assisting survivors with debris removal, home repairs and other unmet needs.

Mississippi Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, Team Rubicon, Knights of Columbus, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Hope Reigns/8 Days of Hope, Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Latter Day Saints, Samaritan's Purse and AmeriCorps are among the organizations providing assistance to survivors who have unmet needs as a result of the disaster. Voluntary organizations provide a wide range of assistance to disaster survivors, including debris cleanup, shelter, food, clothing, counseling, home repairs and reconstruction.

One week left to visit Hattiesburg Disaster Recovery Center

The last remaining MEMA/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center, located at the C.E. Roy Community Center in Hattiesburg, is tentatively scheduled to end operations Wednesday, March 22. Survivors who need to speak with representatives from MEMA, FEMA and SBA in person are encouraged to visit the center while it remains open. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Even after the center closes, survivors can get in touch with FEMA by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585.

Registration deadline fast approaching

Survivors who have not yet registered with FEMA have until March 27 to do so. Register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline.

March 27 is also the deadline to submit low-interest disaster loan applications to the SBA. Survivors can apply on online via SBA's secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. For more information or assistance with SBA disaster loans, call 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339.

For more information on Mississippi's tornado recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4295 or visit the MEMA site at msema.org. Follow MEMA on Facebook facebook.com/msemaorg and on Twitter @msema.org.

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