Portions of Mississippi Declared Federal Disaster Area
PEARL—Gov. Phil Bryant announced that FEMA on Aug. 29 declared thirty-four Mississippi counties federal disaster areas due to impacts from Hurricane Isaac. Once weather conditions allow, damage assessments will be conducted in impacted areas to determine if those areas are eligible to be included in the declaration.
“I appreciate the quick response from the federal officials to Mississippi’s request for a disaster declaration,” Gov. Phil Bryant said. “We are working hard to respond to Isaac’s impacts and provide local communities with the resources they need.”
FEMA has granted the declared counties Direct Federal Assistance, as well as categories A and B of aid through its Public Assistance Program.
Through Direct Federal Assistance, FEMA sends emergency commodities like tarps and water to impacted areas.
FEMA Category A Public Assistance includes 75 percent reimbursement for eligible emergency work, including actions to prevent threats to life and property and overtime incurred by emergency responders.
Category B Public Assistance includes 75 percent reimbursement for eligible costs incurred from removing storm debris from public properties and rights of way.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program administers aid to state and local governments and certain non-profit organizations. Through this program, costs incurred since Aug. 26 by the eligible counties, governments and non-profits could be reimbursed by FEMA through its 75 percent cost-sharing program.
The following 34 counties are included in the designation:
Amite, Attala, Carroll, Clarke, Copiah, Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Grenada, Hancock, Harrison, Hinds, Holmes, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lincoln, Madison, Marion, Montgomery, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Rankin, Stone, Walthall, Wayne, Wilkinson and Yazoo.
This federal declaration does not include individual assistance—FEMA’s program to deliver aid to individuals and families.
Mississippi also received approval to administer FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Program. This program provides assistance for actions that reduce the risk to life and property from natural hazards.
Governor Phil Bryant
8/30/12
Magnolia Tribune
