Getting Help: Individual Assistance Approved for Mississippi Counties

Jackson, Miss – The White House approved Governor Tate Reeves’ request for Individual Assistance for counties affected by the April 8-11 severe weather and tornadoes. The state experienced 13 tornadoes, severe storms, flooding, and straight-line winds, resulting in two deaths attributed to those storms. Six counties are approved for Individual Assistance.

Statewide, counties reported 179 homes damaged.  In April alone, authorities confirmed five new billion-dollar weather and climate disasters. Three severe storm events that impacted the central, southern and eastern U.S. in mid-February and early April. There were also two winter storms that impacted the northwest and central U.S. in mid-January.

Since the inception of these billion-dollar disaster records in 1980, the U.S. has experienced 383 separate weather and climate disasters, each resulting in overall damages/costs reaching or exceeding $1 billion per event. The total cost of these 383 events exceeds $2.720 trillion.

Hancock, Hinds, Humphreys, Madison, Neshoba, and Scott counties received approval for Individual Assistance. Residents in these six counties can now access assistance. Assistance available includes grants for temporary housing, home repairs, and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.

Residents in the approved counties who sustained losses during the April 8-11 severe weather can apply for assistance here or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The disaster Number is: DR-4790.