The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has received damage reports from tornadoes and severe storms that occurred in Mississippi over the weekend. Initial assessments from county emergency managers show 60 residences were destroyed or sustained major damage with 193 total residences affected and one injury. Damage assessments continue.
The National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes so far, an EF-1 in Rankin County (winds 90 mph) and an EF-2 in Lauderdale County (winds 115 mph). Additional NWS tornado surveys are ongoing.
Initial damage reports by county:
•Winston: One home major damage. A person reported powerlines down on their car.
•George: High water rescues for 81 people at an ATV Recreational Park from rapid River rise.
•Lauderdale: destroyed/major damage - 45 homes, 14 apartments, four public buildings minor damage or affected - 72 homes, and 15 businesses, 8 public buildings. One injury. More than 60 residents displaced.
•Lafayette: Seven homes affected; One home major damage, six homes minor damage. One business minor damage.
•Lowndes: Three homes affected, one business minor damage.
•Rankin: major/destroyed
- One home minor damage or affected. 12 homes, 4 businesses.
MEMA has staff deployed to Lauderdale County to assist with damage assessments, volunteer coordination and recovery coordination.
Other state agencies assisting near Lauderdale:
•MS Department of Human Services:
•Coordinated with the American Red Cross for shelter operation over the weekend.
•American Red Cross is coordinating with community partners to provide feeding in the affected areas.
•MS Commission for Volunteer Service
•Requested to deploy a volunteer coordinator Lauderdale County, to assist with any volunteer efforts in the impacted areas.
Residents and businesses are urged to report all storm damage to their county emergency management office.
The State Emergency Operations Center is staffed and monitoring any requests and unmet needs from the county emergency management level.
MEMA will provide updates as information becomes available. The best way to get up-to-date information during this event is to “Like” MEMA on Facebook, or “Follow” us on twitter @msema.
Storm victims should file claims
Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney today urged anyone affected by this weekend’s storms to document damage and file their insurance claims as quickly as possible. The Mississippi Insurance Department’s (MID) consumer services division is standing ready to assist victims of this weekend’s storms. Anyone having problems reaching their agent or insurance company, or filing their claim can call the MID Consumer Services toll-free number at 1-800-562-2957.
“Our thoughts are with victims across the state as they begin cleanup and repairs. The Mississippi Insurance Department is ready to help the recovery process by making the claim filing process easier,” Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney said.
To help Mississippians expedite filing claims, Chaney offers the following tips:
If you suffered storm damage:
• Have your insurance company’s name and policy number ready to speed up the claim process.
•Keep all receipts for expenses for any damages to your home.
•Be careful before you enter any damaged property and be careful of escaping natural gas, live electrical wires and collapses.
•Take pictures of any damages before you repair both inside and outside. If possible, make temporary repairs to your property to prevent further losses.
•Hire licensed and reputable contractors for repair work. Call the Mississippi State Board of Contractors at 1-800-880-6161 to determine if a contractor is properly licensed.
Chaney also warns consumers to be wary of costs that may seem exorbitant for the work performed.
“To make sure you get fully compensated, consider contacting your insurer ahead of time before employing someone to remove trees or debris or rebuilding. Insurance companies may not be obligated to pay the full amount on a receipt submitted for reimbursement for tree and debris removal,” Chaney said.
MID also offers the following tips to consider when hiring someone to help with the cleanup of your damaged property:
•When paying for tree and debris removal, you will typically be paying for hourly labor.
•Ask the contractor up front how many hours will be required and how many men he will use for the job (A generally acceptable rate for tree removal, for example, is $50 -$60 per hour per person on the crew. ***Note that there can be special circumstances which would make that rate higher).
•If you are being charged more, ask questions as to why the rate is higher.
•Get a written copy of the agreed upon amount before the work begins.
•Always pay by check or money order and keep a receipt.
•The charges must be a reasonable amount. Again if you have questions, contact your insurance company before employing a contractor.
Additional information on storm recovery, including a link to Insurance Company 800 Claim reporting numbers can be found on the Disaster/Storm Preparation and Recovery page of the MID website at
www.mid.ms.gov Additional tips and information will be provided via the department’s Twitter @MSInsuranceDept and on its Facebook page.
