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FEMA Rebuilding Experts to Provide Advice in Tupelo

JACKSON, Miss. – Residents in the Tupelo area can learn how to build or rebuild to reduce the likelihood of damage the next time severe storms, tornadoes or floods hit. Federal Emergency Management Agency’s mitigation experts know how and they are sharing their knowledge.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be at Lowe’s in Tupelo for five days next week to discuss specific methods with anyone who stops by. They will have free booklets and pamphlets with additional details.

Tuesday, May 27, through Saturday, May 31

Lowe’s

3354 N. Gloster St.

Tupelo, Miss. 38804

8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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.

Individuals and households in those counties can 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.

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 800-621-3362. 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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FEMA Rebuilding Experts to Provide Advice in Tupelo

Survivors Have until Next Week to Visit two Disaster Recovery Centers

JACKSON, Miss. – Survivors have until 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, to visit the disaster recovery center located on Stadium Drive in Columbus and until 6 p.m. Friday, May 30, to visit the disaster recovery center in Waynesboro. Both centers will be closed this Sunday and Memorial Day and then reopen for two and four days respectively.

Four other disaster recovery centers will remain open in Mississippi until further notice. 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.

Closing Next Week:

Lowndes County

381 Stadium Rd.

Columbus, Miss. 39702

Open Friday, Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., then closed.

Wayne County

810 Chickasawhay Dr.

Waynesboro, Miss. 39367

Open Friday, Saturday and Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., then closed.

Disaster Recovery Centers Remaining Open:

Jones County

1425 Ellisville Blvd., Laurel, Miss.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, closed Sundays. Closed on Memorial Day, May 26.

Lee County

320 Court St., Tupelo, Miss.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, closed Sundays. Closed on Memorial Day, May 26.

Lowndes County

222 Lawrence Dr., Columbus, Miss.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, closed Sundays. Closed on Memorial Day, May 26.

Winston County

826 S. Church Ave., Louisville, Miss.

8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, closed Sundays. Closed on Memorial Day, May 26.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Survivors Have until Next Week to Visit two Disaster Recovery Centers

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.

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.

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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Mississippi Disaster Survivors: Check on a Contractor Before You Sign

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.

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.

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

Voluntarios de MEMA y FEMA trabajan juntos para ayudar a los sobrevivientes del desastre en Mississippi a recuperarse

JACKSON, Miss. – Un esfuerzo cooperativo entre la Agencia para el Manejo de Emergencias de Mississippi (MEMA, por sus siglas en inglés), agencias federales incluyendo a FEMA, gobiernos locales y grupos voluntarios está en efecto para ayudar a los sobrevivientes del desastre a recuperarse de las fuertes tormentas, los tornados y las inundaciones que azotaron a Mississippi entre el 28 de abril al 3 de mayo.

La necesidad es grande. Las autoridades han identificado a más de 700 hogares y personas cuyas viviendas fueron demasiado dañadas como para ser habitables. Cerca de 2,000 otras viviendas fueron dañadas más levemente.

Como para rematar el problema, cerca de 800 hogares que se han inscrito con FEMA para recibir asistencia no tienen seguro.

La limpieza de los escombros es el primer paso para la recuperación. Sin seguro de propietarios de viviendas para pagar la cuenta, puede parecer un obstáculo insuperable. Ahí es donde la generosidad de los grupos de voluntarios puede ser crítica. Organizaciones como el Servicio Menonita de Desastres, la Ayuda para Desastres de los Bautistas del Sur, la Bolsa del Samaritano y el Equipo Rubicon han respondido a Mississippi con la experiencia, las herramientas y el equipo para mover los escombros y hacer reparaciones.

MEMA y FEMA están trabajando juntos y con los gobiernos locales, los voluntarios y los sobrevivientes del desastre para mover los escombros al borde de las carreteras donde pueden ser llevados a los rellenos sanitarios adecuados. FEMA cubre el 75 por ciento del costo de transportar los escombros lejos de los bordes de las carreteras y el estado paga el 25 por ciento restante. Si los propietarios de viviendas contratan la remoción de los escombros, éstos deben ser transportados fuera del lugar por el contratista.

La remoción de los escombros de las propiedades privadas en un costo aprobado por los Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa (SBA, por su sigla en inglés) para préstamos por desastre a bajo interés para los propietarios de viviendas, arrendatarios y negocios.

Los sobrevivientes del desastre en los condados de Itawamba, Jones, Leake, Lee, Lowndes, Madison, Montgomery, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, Wayne y Winston pueden ser elegibles para el programa de Asistencia individual de FEMA.

Las personas y los hogares en estos condados pueden inscribirse para recibir Asistencia Individual de FEMA en línea en el sitio http://www.disasterassistance.gov/espanol, mediante un teléfono inteligente o una tableta en m.fema.gov/esp, o llamando a la línea de ayuda de FEMA al 800-621-3362. Las personas con sordera, impedimentos auditivos o que tengan una discapacidad del habla y usen el TTY, deben llamar al 800-462-7585. Las líneas están en funcionamiento de 7 a.m. a 10 p.m. (hora del centro) y hay asistencia multilingüe disponible.

Para obtener información adicional acerca préstamos por desastre a bajo interés de la SBA, llame al Centro de Servicio al Cliente de Asistencia para Desastres de la SBA al 800-659-2955 o TTY 800-877-8339, por correo electrónico DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov o visitando el sitio sba.gov/disaster. Representantes de servicio al cliente de la SBA están disponibles en TODOS los centros de recuperación por desastre. Los centros de recuperación por desastre se pueden encontrar en línea en FEMA.gov/DRCLocator.

Para más información sobre la recuperación de desastres en Mississippi, vaya al sitio www.fema.gov/disaster/4175. Visite el sitio web de MEMA en msema.org/ o en Facebook, facebook.com/msemaorg.

La misión de FEMA es apoyar a todos los ciudadanos y a las agencias de primera respuesta para garantizar que, como país, trabajemos juntos para desarrollar, mantener y mejorar nuestra capacidad de prepararnos, protegernos y recuperarnos de los peligros, responder ante ellos y mitigarlos.

Los programas de recuperación para desastres están disponibles sin prejuicio en virtud de raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, nivel de competencia en inglés o situación económica. Si usted o alguien que usted conoce ha sido víctima de la discriminación, llame sin costo a FEMA al número 800-621-3362. Si usted tiene impedimentos auditivos o del habla y usa un TTY, llame directamente al 800-800-462-7585; si usa el 711 o el Servicio de retransmisión de video (VRS, por sus siglas en inglés), llame al 800-621-3362.

Los programas de asistencia temporal de vivienda de FEMA y los subsidios para gastos de transporte público, gastos médicos y odontológicos, y gastos funerarios y de sepelio no exigen que las personas soliciten un préstamo a SBA. No obstante, las personas que reciban solicitudes de préstamos de SBA deben enviarlas a los funcionarios de préstamos de SBA para poder recibir asistencia que cubra propiedades personales, reparaciones o reemplazo de vehículos, y gastos de mudanzas y almacenamiento.

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Voluntarios de MEMA y FEMA trabajan juntos para ayudar a los sobrevivientes del desastre en Mississippi a recuperarse

Disaster Survivors Urged to Register with FEMA Even if They Have Insurance

JACKSON, Miss. – FEMA does not duplicate benefits that homeowner or renter insurance covers, but it may be able to provide disaster assistance when insurance coverage is not enough to cover the damage. The only way to obtain that potential benefit is to register now for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

The FEMA registration period is open until June 30 for the current disaster declaration covering 12 Mississippi counties for severe storms, tornados and flood damage between April 28 and May 3. Insured FEMA applicants may initially be ineligible for assistance to repair disaster damage if they have not yet submitted insurance settlement documentation to FEMA. But the eligibility can be reconsidered once an applicant has settled their claim with their insurer and documentation has been submitted to FEMA. If insurance is not enough to cover repairs to make the dwelling safe, sanitary and functional, FEMA may be able to provide an Individual Assistance grant to help the household complete those repairs.

FEMA can reconsider an application for up to a year after the disaster period, but only if the applicant has registered by the June 30 deadline. Once registration closes, it is too late to seek FEMA assistance, even if insurance benefits later prove insufficient.

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.

Survivors who register with FEMA and are referred to SBA will be contacted by SBA with options on how to apply for a low-interest loan. After being contacted by SBA, survivors should complete and submit an application even if they do not plan to accept a loan. It is part of the FEMA grant process and can pave the way for additional disaster assistance.

Homeowners and renters who submit an SBA application and are declined a loan may be considered for certain other FEMA grants and programs that could include assistance for disaster-related car repairs, clothing, household items and other expenses.

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.

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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Disaster Survivors Urged to Register with FEMA Even if They Have Insurance

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 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.

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

Nearly $7 Million Approved for Mississippi Disaster Survivors

JACKSON, Miss. – Federal assistance approved for disaster survivors in 12 Mississippi counties has reached nearly $7 million.

All emergency shelters have closed and all disaster survivors are currently housed.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is leading a 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 to assess and provide assistance to families with housing needs.

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

Individuals and households with home insurance should register with FEMA now even though they may not immediately qualify for FEMA assistance. Once registered, they will have up to a year to request FEMA assistance to help cover the gap if the insurance proves inadequate. It may be too late to register when the insurance settlement is received. The deadline to register is June 30, 2014.

Here is a summary through Friday, May 16, 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, storms, tornadoes and flooding.

Nearly $7 million in total federal disaster assistance has been approved by FEMA and SBA.
Nearly $3.6 million in FEMA Individual Assistance grants has been approved to help Mississippi disaster survivors recover, including:
- More than $2.7 million approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.
- Nearly $853,000 approved to help cover other essential disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
Nearly $3.4 million in low-interest disaster loans has been approved by SBA for renters and homeowners.
More than 3,900 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.

1,759 home inspections completed.
Nearly 3,000 visits to disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.
9 disaster recovery centers are open across the affected areas.
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance crews assisting survivors have visited 5,452 dwellings and assisted 3,520 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 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.

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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Nearly $7 Million Approved for Mississippi Disaster Survivors

Federal Disaster Aid To Alabama Nears $10 Million

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabamians are urged to file for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) if their homes were damaged during the storms, tornadoes and flooding between April 28 and May 5, 2014.

More than 6,600 residents’ registrations have been approved in the nine affected counties in the two weeks following the presidential disaster declaration.

More than $9 million has been approved through FEMA’s Individual and Household program. The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $650,000 through its low-interest disaster loan program.

The following numbers, compiled May 15, provide a snapshot of the Alabama/FEMA disaster recovery to date:

Funds approved

$7.8 million for Housing Assistance grants to help with recovery rental expenses and home repair costs.
$1.3 million for Other Needs Assistance to cover essential disaster-related needs, such as medical expenses and lost personal possessions.
$650,000 approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest loans to eligible homeowners, renters or business owners.

Survivor recovery

3,583 of the 4,860 damaged homes and property have been inspected (74 percent of requests).
1,331 visits have been made to the nine disaster recovery centers located in designated counties.
9 counties declared 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 (between April 28 and May 5) need to register with FEMA for disaster aid.

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

By phone, call 800-621-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	2,314	$4,764,322.56	$608,804.69
Blount	60	$52,725.68	$3,189.15
DeKalb	70	$17,360.38	$9,614.48
Etowah	149	$370,992.16	$27,877.67
Jefferson	1,123	$840,844.04	$117,580.16
Lee	137	$199,237.62	$45,284.56
Limestone	682	$637,792.33	$305,879.43
Mobile	1,951	$891,169.54	$180,944.97
Tuscaloosa	189	$10,2661.50	$30,082.54
Total:	6,675	$7,877,105.09	$1,329,257.65

Recovery officials urge all Alabama residents who have registered for assistance to stay in close touch 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 and/or a good contact number.

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

For more information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or http://www.ema.alabama.gov/.

For the joint Facebook page, go to www.facebook.com/AlabamaEMA. To receive Twitter updates: http://twitter.com/AlabamaEMA or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

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Federal Disaster Aid To Alabama Nears $10 Million

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