Disaster Recovery Center Now Open in Jones County

RIDGELAND, Miss. – A disaster recovery center is now open in Jones County to assist Mississippi residents affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from April 28 to May 3.

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

The Jones County 361 Saferoom

1425 Ellisville Blvd.

Laurel, MS 39440

Specialists from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and other agencies will be on hand to answer questions. By visiting the center, survivors can:

• 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 with 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.

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 survivors can visit any of the nine open disaster recovery centers in Mississippi. To locate the nearest center, survivors can visit FEMA.gov/DRCLocator or call 800-621-3362 (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.

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 or 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.

###