Area counties declared federal disaster areas from February storms

JACKSON, Miss. (MEMA NEWS RELEASE)  – Gov. Phil Bryant announced that President Donald Trump declared Calhoun, Chickasaw, Clay, Grenada, Lowndes, Pontotoc and Tishomingo counties as federal disaster areas on April 23, 2019.

The declaration was in response to the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that impacted Mississippi from February 22 thru February 24, and ended with the rising of the Yazoo Basin backwater flooding on March 29, 2019.

Those seven counties are eligible for Public Assistance, which is reimbursement grants to local governments and non-profit organizations for things like damage to infrastructure, debris removal, and overtime to responders. Individual Assistance (assistance to individuals and households) is still under review.

“I am grateful to President Trump and his administration for its approval of our request,” Gov. Bryant said. “This declaration will help these seven counties in rebuilding their infrastructure that is still significantly damaged”. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, along with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will continue to complete joint damage assessments on those counties that were affected by the February storm system. Additional designations may occur at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of those assessments.

“We currently have 13 additional counties that we’ve asked FEMA to join us in assessing the damages”, said MEMA Executive Director Greg Michel. “I anticipate more counties being added to this federal disaster declaration” Mississippi is also approved statewide for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which is for measures/actions taken that reduce or eliminate long term risk to people and property from natural hazards.