The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is continuing to scale back the number of disaster recovery centers across the state, in coordination with leadership from counties impacted by a destructive swatch of tornadoes in March.
MEMA announced in a Tuesday press release that at the end of the business day on July 11, the center in Covington County will shut down operations. Survivors will continue to have access to federal relief applications online and over the phone.
Residents in the approved counties who sustained losses during the severe weather that included 18 tornadoes across March 14 and March 15 can call 1-800-462-7585. Those who are hearing or speech impaired should call 1-800-462-7585. The disaster number is: DR-4874.
With the closure in Covington County, only one disaster recovery center remains open for survivors to speak in person with staff aiding in relief applications. The center is located at 1240 Fairground Road, Suite G, in Grenada. Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Individual Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency was Covington, Grenada, Issaquena, Itawamba, Jefferson Davis, Leflore, Marion, Montgomery, Pike, Smith, and Walthall counties. The program is available to residents and business owners and can include grants for temporary housing, home repairs, and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.
Public Assistance was approved for Calhoun, Carroll, Covington, Grenada, Humphreys, Issaquena, Itawamba, Jefferson Davis, Lee, Leflore, Marion, Montgomery, Pike, Prentiss, Sharkey, Smith, Walthall, and Washington counties. The purpose of the program is to support municipalities and counties with grant assistance for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, and restoration of public infrastructure. It does not include assistance for homeowners or business owners.
As of Thursday, $19 million in individual assistance had been approved for 8,544 residents. Affected households have also received more than $11 million in housing assistance. MEMA urges survivors who have not applied for assistance to do so as funds may still be available.
