MISSISSIPPI RECEIVES FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION FOR 14 COUNTIES AFFECTED BY MISSISSIPPI RIVER FLOODING

JACKSON – Gov. Haley Barbour announced today that the 14 counties affected by the Mississippi River flooding have been declared major disaster areas eligible for Individual Assistance by President Obama.

The counties included in the major disaster declaration include Adams, Bolivar, Claiborne, Coahoma, DeSoto, Jefferson, Humphreys, Issaquena, Sharkey, Tunica, Warren, Washington, Wilkinson and Yazoo counties. Other counties may be added as appropriate.

“We are grateful to President Obama and FEMA for quickly fulfilling our request for assistance,” Gov. Barbour said. “The flooding situation will last for several weeks, and this declaration gives Mississippians in flooded areas access to federal assistance that can help families through this difficult time.”

The White House continues to have under review a request for Public Assistance for state and local governments. Gov. Barbour is confident when the review is complete, the federal government will determine President Obama should approve the request.

The disaster declaration makes federal assistance grants and programs available to individuals. Assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance, USDA food coupons and distribution, disaster legal services, the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Small Business Administration disaster loans for affected residents in the 14 declared counties.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance today by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov, by web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.  The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.