Another Disaster Recovery Center Open in Mississippi

PEARL, Miss. – An additional disaster recovery center is open in Lowndes County to assist survivors   affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Mississippi.

The disaster recovery center will be open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until further notice and is located at:

East Columbus Gym

222 Lawrence Drive

Columbus, MS 39702

Specialists from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be on hand to answer questions. Survivors will be able to:

• Discuss their individual disaster-related needs.
• Submit any additional documentation needed, such as occupancy or ownership verification. documents and letters from insurance companies.
• Find out the status of an application.

• Obtain information about different types of state and federal assistance.
• Get help from SBA specialists in completing low-interest disaster loan applications for homeowners, renters and business owners.
• Receive referrals to the American Red Cross and other voluntary organizations to help with immediate disaster-related needs.

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health also has representatives at the center to provide crisis counseling assistance.

Before going to a center, if possible, survivors should register with FEMA. Apply for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362. Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability can call (TTY) 800-462-7585.

Disaster assistance may include money to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs. Low-interest SBA loans may also be available for losses not covered by insurance or other sources.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4175. Visit the MEMA site at msema.org/  or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you of someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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