JACKSON — In response to the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that impacted Mississippi on January 10-11, 2020, Governor Tate Reeves announced that the federal agencies declared a major disaster exists in Mississippi and ordered federal assistance to supplement state and local recovery efforts.
The counties declared as federal disaster areas on Thursday, March 12, 2020 and to receive federal funding are Bolivar, Choctaw, Clay, DeSoto, Oktibbeha, Panola, Prentiss, Sunflower, Tishomingo, and Washington.
Those ten counties are eligible for Public Assistance, which is reimbursement grants to local governments and non-profit organizations for things like damage to infrastructure, debris removal, and overtime to responders.
This is the first federal disaster for 2020.
Mississippi did not surpass the criteria required for Individual Assistance, which is federal assistance to individuals and households.
“More counties could be added to the declaration at a later date,” said MEMA Executive Director Greg Michel. However, those counties can only be requested for addition if warranted by the results of the counties damage assessments.
Mississippi is also approved statewide for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which is for measures/actions taken that reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards.
FEDERAL AID PROGRAMS
Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed by the disaster declaration issued for the state of Mississippi.
Assistance for State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:
•Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health. Emergency protective measures assistance, including direct federal assistance is available to state and local governments on a cost-sharing basis (Source: FEMA funded, state administered)
• Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas, and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered)
•Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered)
How to Apply for Assistance:
Application procedures for state and local governments will be explained at a series of applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.
FEMA's mission is to help people before, during and after disasters.
