FEMA approves individual assistance for parts of Mississippi affected by January winter storm
President Donald Trump has approved federal aid for residents and businesses in 36 counties and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians after Winter Storm Fern swept through Mississippi from Jan. 23-27, causing widespread damage, officials said Saturday.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide grants for home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, and other recovery programs. The announcement followed a request from Gov. Tate Reeves, who said residents in affected areas could apply for assistance starting immediately.
According to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the storm coated roads and bridges with ice, downed thousands of trees, toppled power lines and left about 180,000 customers without electricity at its peak. Some residents experienced power outages lasting several weeks. The agency reported 29 storm-related deaths in the state.
Individuals in Adams, Alcorn, Attala, Benton, Bolivar, Calhoun, Carroll, Claiborne, Coahoma, DeSoto, Grenada, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leflore, Marshall, Montgomery, Panola, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Tunica, Union, Warren, Washington, Yalobusha and Yazoo counties can register for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling FEMA at 1-800-621-3362. A disaster number assigned to the incident is DR-4899. FEMA also offers a dedicated TTY line at 1-800-462-7585 for those with hearing or speech impairments, although the agency’s Saturday hotline recording indicated that line was no longer in service and directed callers to the main assistance number.
All 82 Mississippi counties have been approved for some level of public assistance from FEMA, which reimburses local and state agencies for emergency response, debris removal, and infrastructure repair costs. The 38 counties hardest hit during the storm, along with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, are eligible for full public assistance. The remaining 44 counties are approved for Category B assistance, covering emergency protective measures.
Some nonprofit organizations and houses of worship may also qualify for aid, MEMA said. The state’s comprehensive response aims to support recovery efforts for both residents and local governments affected by Winter Storm Fern.
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