President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Endorses Declaration of Mississippi Disaster

Yesterday, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. said a major disaster existed in the state of Mississippi and ordered federal assistance to complement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by the hurricane. Ida from August 18 to September 1, 2021..

The President’s Action makes federal funding available to affected people in Amite, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, Pike, Walthall and Wilkinson counties.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the catastrophe.

Federal funding is also available for eligible state, tribal and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Ida. in Amite, Claiborne, Copiah, Covington, Franklin, George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Lincoln, Pearl River, Pike, Simpson, Walthall, Wayne and Wilkinson counties.

Finally, federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for state-wide risk mitigation measures.

Deanne Criswell, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, has appointed Brett H. Howard as federal coordinator for federal recovery operations in affected areas.

Additional designations may be made at a later date at the request of the State and supported by the results of other damage assessments.

Residents and business owners who have suffered losses in designated counties can start seeking help by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621 -FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing impaired and hard of hearing. Freephone numbers will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS OFFICE AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

###