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30 Days Later: Mississippi Recovery by the Numbers

Release date:

May 28, 2014

Release Number:

032

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have approved more than $10.8 million in total assistance for survivors of the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred in Mississippi from April 28 to May 3. The following is a breakdown of that assistance.

SBA disaster loans for homeowners and renters

More than $6.6 million in low-interest disaster loans has been approved by SBA for 95 homeowners and renters.

FEMA Individual Assistance

More than $4.2 million in FEMA Individual Assistance grants has been approved to help Mississippi disaster survivors recover, including:
- Nearly $3.2 million approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
- More than $1 million approved to help cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.

More than 4,600 people have contacted FEMA for help, information or referrals to other sources of disaster assistance.
2,411 (99 percent) home inspections completed.
Nearly 4,000 visits to disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.

Total Federal Assistance for survivors

More than $10.8 million in total federal disaster assistance has been approved by FEMA and SBA.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, including additional stories, blogs and photos, go to FEMA.gov/Disaster/4175. Visit MEMA at msema.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/msemaorg.

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Last Updated:

May 28, 2014 – 17:07

State/Tribal Government or Region:

Region IV

and

Mississippi

Related Disaster:

Mississippi Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

Source:

30 Days Later: Mississippi Recovery by the Numbers

New Disaster Recovery Center Schedules Announced Tuesday, May 27

JACKSON, Miss. – One day remains to visit the disaster recovery center in Waynesboro, which closes at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 28.

Also closing this week, at 6 p.m. Friday, are the disaster recovery centers in Laurel and on Stadium Road in Columbus.

Three remaining disaster recovery centers will be closed weekends beginning this week. They are on Lawrence Drive in Columbus, in Louisville and in Tupelo.

Mississippi disaster survivors can visit any of the disaster recovery centers open in the state. Survivors can also call the FEMA helpline for assistance at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585.) Locations can be found by visiting FEMA.gov/DRCLocator or by calling the FEMA helpline. The new schedule is:

Closing Wednesday

Wayne County

810 Chickasawhay St., Waynesboro, Miss.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Wednesday, May 28.

Closing Friday

Jones County

1425 Ellisville Blvd., Laurel, Miss.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, May 30.

Lowndes County

381 Stadium Rd., Columbus, Miss.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday, May 30.

Remaining open until further notice

Lee County

320 Court St., Tupelo, Miss.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Friday, closed weekends.

Lowndes County

222 Lawrence Dr., Columbus, Miss.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Friday, closed weekends.

Winston County

826 S. Church Ave., Louisville, Miss.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Friday, closed weekends.

Disaster survivors in Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston counties may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program. If possible, they should register for FEMA assistance before visiting a disaster recovery center. At a center they can check on the status of their application and learn about recovery services available from other agencies, including the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Individuals and households in those counties can register for FEMA Individual Assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet at m.FEMA.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362). People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY should call 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (central time) and assistance is available in multiple languages. FEMA assistance does not affect benefits from other federal programs such as Social Security, SNAP or Medicaid and is not considered taxable income.

For more information on Mississippi disaster recovery, go to 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). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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Link to original –

New Disaster Recovery Center Schedules Announced Tuesday, May 27

More Than $10 Million Approved for Mississippi Disaster Survivors

JACKSON, Miss. – Federal assistance approved for disaster survivors in 12 Mississippi counties has reached more than $10 million.

Just three weeks after tornadoes ripped through Mississippi, FEMA’s National Mobile Disaster Hospital opened Monday in Louisville, Miss. and is being operated by the staff of the Winston Medical Center, which was severely damaged by a tornado April 28. The temporary facility will remain in place until the medical center is rebuilt. About 85 percent of the medical center staff is employed to operate the mobile hospital.

The opening, attended by Governor Bryant and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, was the culmination of coordination and teamwork by MEMA, the Mississippi Department of Health, the State of North Carolina, Winston County, the city of Louisville, North Carolina Baptist Men and Women, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and FEMA. This is the first time the National Mobile Disaster Hospital has been used as a fully operational hospital.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is leading a joint Long-Term Housing Task Force, which includes FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department, along with state and local officials, volunteers and the private sector to assess and provide assistance to families with housing needs.

Here is a summary through Thursday, May 22, of all federal assistance to individuals and households in the 12 counties designated for FEMA Individual Assistance as a result of the April 28 through May 3, 2014, severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

More than $10 million in total federal disaster assistance has been approved by FEMA and SBA.
More than $6.3 million in low-interest disaster home loans has been approved by SBA for 89 homeowners and renters.
More than $3.9 million in FEMA Individual Assistance grants has been approved to help Mississippi disaster survivors recover, including:
- More than $3 million approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
- Nearly $935,000 approved to help cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and household possessions. Included is approval of assistance with funeral expenses for two disaster-related deaths. Other funeral expense requests are pending.

More than 4,400 people have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance.
- In addition to FEMA grants for individuals and families, other forms of disaster assistance are provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration and other partner agencies such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. FEMA refers some survivors to those agencies.
- All businesses that contact FEMA are also referred to the SBA.
- Others may be interested in other programs such as disaster unemployment assistance and disaster legal services.
2,279 home inspections completed.
More than 3,700 visits to disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.
8 disaster recovery centers are open across the affected areas.
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance crews have visited 7,577 dwellings and assisted 5,209 survivors.

Disaster survivors in Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston counties may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

For additional information about SBA low-interest disaster loans, contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339, emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or visiting sba.gov/disaster. SBA representatives are available at ALL disaster recovery centers. Disaster recovery center locations can be found online at FEMA.gov/DRCLocator.

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

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

Original source:

More Than $10 Million Approved for Mississippi Disaster Survivors

Federal Aid for Alabama Disaster Tops $12 Million

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — More than $12 million has been approved through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $3 million through its low-interest disaster loan program.

The following numbers, compiled May 23, provide a snapshot of the Alabama/FEMA disaster recovery to date:

Funds approved

$10.3 million for Housing Assistance grants to help with recovery rental expenses and home repair costs.
$2 million for Other Needs Assistance to cover essential disaster-related needs, such as medical expenses and lost personal possessions.
$3.4 million approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest loans to eligible homeowners, renters or business owners.

Survivor recovery

6,882 of the 7,899 damaged homes and property have been inspected (87 percent of requests).
2,990 visits have been made to the nine disaster recovery centers located in designated counties.
9 counties designated for Individual Assistance.

FEMA works with many volunteer agencies and the private sector to speed the recovery effort. But those affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding need to register with FEMA for disaster aid.

No matter the degree of loss or insurance status, survivors are urged to apply for help. They can use the following methods:

By phone, call 800-621-3662 (FEMA) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time. Operators are multilingual. TTY 800-462-7585.
By computer, go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
By smartphone or tablet, use m.fema.gov.

County-by-County approved breakdown of Individual Assistance:

County	Approved Registrations	Housing Assistance	Other Needs Assistance
Baldwin	1,315	$5,618,245.47	$831,785.39
Blount	11	$88,865.68	3,189.15
DeKalb	16	$24,233.20	$10,343.47
Etowah	41	$379,218.80	35,910.51
Jefferson	342	$932,366.08	138,250.46
Lee	47	$206,609.16	51,907.93
Limestone	227	$725,883.91	$366,621.99
Mobile	1,445	$2,265,917.98	$544,046.56
Tuscaloosa	34	$128,910.34	$36,814.67
Total:	3,478	$10,370,249.90	$2,018,870.13

Recovery officials urge all Alabama residents who have registered for assistance to stay in close contact with FEMA throughout the recovery process. This is especially true during the first weeks after registering when FEMA housing inspectors must contact applicants to view damages. Those with mobile phones should provide that number to FEMA during the registration.

Affected survivors and business owners in the nine designated counties may apply for assistance. Those counties are: Baldwin, Blount, DeKalb, Etowah, Jefferson, Lee, Limestone, Mobile and Tuscaloosa.

Alabama/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are located in Baldwin, Blount, Jefferson, Limestone, Mobile and Tuscaloosa counties. These centers will be open Monday, Memorial Day, May 26, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The DRC in Etowah County closes Saturday, May 24.

The deadline to register is Tuesday, July 1.

Taken from:

Federal Aid for Alabama Disaster Tops $12 Million

Florida Survivors Have Access to a Wide Array of Disaster Services

PENSACOLA, Fla. — The Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are working together to connect survivors to a wide array of disaster services and resources. This includes crucial help for people who are experiencing disaster-related unemployment, legal issues or stress.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Disaster survivors who lost their jobs or those who are self-employed and have lost income as a direct result of the severe storms and flooding that took place April 28 through May 6 in parts of the Panhandle may be eligible for FEMA-funded unemployment benefits.

The state-administered disaster unemployment assistance program is available for those who lost work as a direct result of the disaster and do not qualify for regular unemployment assistance.

To file a claim for disaster unemployment assistance, call 800-681-8102.

Disaster Legal Services

Assistance is available for survivors who need help with disaster-related legal issues but can’t afford a lawyer. Free legal services, including legal advice and counseling, may be provided to disaster survivors through a FEMA program administered by the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyer’s Division.

To request free legal assistance, survivors can call 866-550-2929. Callers will likely get a recording, but they are urged to leave a message and they will receive a call back within two business days.

Disaster-Related Stress Help

Survivors who are experiencing stress as a result of the recent storms and flooding can call the disaster distress helpline any time at 800-985-5990. People can also text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.

Disaster Recovery Centers

Survivors with questions about disaster assistance can also meet face to face with recovery specialistsfrom the State Emergency Response Team, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration at five disaster recovery centers in Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.

To locate the nearest disaster recovery center, go to FEMA.gov/DRCLocator or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585.

If possible, before visiting a center, survivors are encouraged to register with FEMA. Register online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability can call (TTY) 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. central time and assistance is available in multiple languages.

For more information on Florida disaster recovery, click fema.gov/disaster/4177. Visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management website at FloridaDisaster.org or Facebook page at facebook.com/FloridaSERT.

Originally posted here –

Florida Survivors Have Access to a Wide Array of Disaster Services

Mississippi Disaster Survivors: Check on a Contractor Before You Sign

JACKSON, Miss. – Disaster survivors should check a contractor’s credentials before signing a rebuilding contract. The Mississippi Board of Contractors cautions that fraudulent contractors are contacting survivors and asking them to sign contracts in the amount of their entire homeowner insurance benefit.

Residential building contractors working in Mississippi are required to be licensed with the Mississippi Board of Contractors. It is easy to talk to a representative of the board and find out if a contractor is licensed and has a clean record with the board. Call 800-880-6161, press 1 speak to a representative, and ask your questions.

According to Mississippi law, “It is unlawful to perform residential construction or residential improvement without a valid license. Likewise, it is unlawful to submit a bid, enter into a contract or otherwise engage in the business of a commercial contractor without a valid certificate of responsibility. Violators are subject to a monetary penalty and/or suspension or revocation of their license or certificate of responsibility.”

This week the board learned of an incident where an unlicensed contractor talked an elderly survivor into signing a repair contract totaling the entire amount of her insurance settlement. The perpetrator showed her fraudulent credentials.

Don’t be talked into signing a contract on the spot. The board recommends getting two or three estimates. Each estimate should be in writing and should include the total price, the materials to be used, a timetable for payments and the expected completion date.

Get at least three references from the contractor. After the contractor leaves, check with the board to verify that the contractor is licensed. Then get in touch with the references and find out their experience.

Don’t make a large down payment. Make payments as the work progresses. Don’t pay for work not completed. Don’t pay in cash. A check provides proof of payment and amount. Don’t make a final payment until everything is completed to your satisfaction. Keep all receipts and documents pertaining to the project. For more information, view the board’s website at msboc.us.

Disaster survivors in Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston counties may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

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

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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See original article:

Mississippi Disaster Survivors: Check on a Contractor Before You Sign

Disaster Recovery Centers Closed on Memorial Day

JACKSON, Miss. – The six disaster recovery centers open in Mississippi to provide information for survivors of the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding will be closed on Memorial Day, May 26. They will reopen on their regular schedule at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Regular hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday.

Survivors will still be able to receive information about their case on Memorial Day by calling the FEMA helpline for assistance at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Anyone can go to any location, which are:

Jones County:

1425 Ellisville Blvd., Laurel, Miss.

Lee County:

320 Court St., Tupelo, Miss.

Lowndes County (two locations):

222 Lawrence Dr. and 381 Stadium Rd., Columbus, Miss.

Wayne County:

810 Chickasawhay St., Waynesboro, Miss.

Winston County:

826 S. Church Ave., Louisville, Miss.

At a center they can check on the status of their application and learn about recovery services available from other agencies, including the U.S. Small Business Administration.

FEMA assistance does not affect benefits from other federal programs such as Social Security, SNAP or Medicaid and is not considered taxable income.

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

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Disaster Recovery Center Now Open for Survivors in Okaloosa and Walton Counties

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Additional disaster recovery centers are now open in Okaloosa and Walton counties to assist Florida Panhandle survivors affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.

The disaster recovery centers will be open until 5 p.m. today, Saturday, May 17, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 18.

Beginning Monday, May 19, the centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays. The centers are located at:

Okaloosa County

Senior Centerview Parks and Recreation

205 Stillwell Blvd.

Crestview, FL 32536

Walton County

Community Church of Santa Rosa Beach

3524 U.S. 98

Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Specialists from the State Emergency Response Team, 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.

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.

Source –

Disaster Recovery Center Now Open for Survivors in Okaloosa and Walton Counties

DR-4177-FL, Florida Disaster Assistance Reaches Nearly $28 Million in Two Weeks

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Just two weeks since the May 6 major disaster declaration for severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in the Florida Panhandle, nearly $28 million in disaster assistance has been approved to help survivors and their communities recover.

The following is a summary of ongoing recovery efforts by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to date:

Four designated counties – Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton – are eligible for disaster assistance.
Nearly $28 million in total federal disaster assistance has been approved by FEMA and SBA.
More than $20.7 million has been approved for housing assistance, including short-term rental assistance and essential home repair costs.
Nearly $3.4 million has been approved to help cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
Nearly $3.9 million has been approved for low-interest disaster loans by SBA for qualified homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofits.
More than 9,500 people have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance.
Five disaster recovery centers are open in Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.
More than 2,000 visits have been made to disaster recovery centers to get information and apply for disaster assistance.

Survivors in the designated counties can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov, via smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov, or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362). People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY can call 800-462-7585. Lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. central time and assistance is available in multiple languages.

To apply for an SBA low-interest disaster loan, survivors can find the electronic loan application on SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Questions can be answered by calling the SBA disaster customer service center at 800-659-2955 or (TTY) 800-877-8339.

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View original:

DR-4177-FL, Florida Disaster Assistance Reaches Nearly $28 Million in Two Weeks

MEMA, FEMA, Volunteers Working Together to Help Disaster Survivors Recover in Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. – A cooperative effort involving the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), federal agencies including FEMA, local governments and volunteer groups is underway to help disaster survivors recover from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that swept across Mississippi between April 28 and May 3.

The need is great. Officials have identified more than 700 households and individuals whose dwellings were too heavily damaged to be habitable. Nearly 2,000 other dwellings were less seriously damaged.

Compounding the issue, nearly 800 households who have registered for FEMA assistance are uninsured.

Clearing the debris is the first step toward recovery. Without homeowner insurance to pay the bill, it may seem an insurmountable obstacle. That is where the generosity of volunteer groups can be critical. Organizations such as Mennonite Disaster Service, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Samaritan’s Purse and Team Rubicon have responded to Mississippi with the experience, the tools and the equipment to move debris and make repairs.

MEMA and FEMA are working together and with local governments, the volunteers and disaster survivors to get the debris moved to roadsides where it can be taken to the appropriate landfills. FEMA is covering 75 percent of the cost of hauling debris away from roadsides and the state is paying the remaining 25 percent. If homeowners contract to remove debris, it must be hauled away by the contractor.

Debris removal from private property is an allowable cost in U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses.

Disaster survivors in Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne and Winston counties may be eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

For additional information about SBA low-interest disaster loans, contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339, emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or visiting sba.gov/disaster. SBA customer service representatives are available at ALL disaster recovery centers. Disaster recovery center locations can be found online at FEMA.gov/DRCLocator.

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

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See the original article here:

MEMA, FEMA, Volunteers Working Together to Help Disaster Survivors Recover in Mississippi

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