Over $22.7 million in federal funding will assist with the repair and restoration of highways in Mississippi that were damaged by recent flooding.
Announced by Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, the funding from the Federal Highway Administration is linked to federal and state emergency disaster declarations issued for Mississippi following heavy rains and flooding in 2019 and 2020, including the February 2020 storms that caused the Pearl River to reach its third-highest crest on record. One award is linked to severe weather and flooding in April 2020.
$8 million will be put toward the repair of road damages at Vicksburg National Military Park and Natchez Trace National Parkway.
“The severe storms and flooding Mississippi experienced earlier this year claimed lives and caused significant damage to federal properties throughout the state. Damage to the Vicksburg National Military Park, a historic and economic asset to Warren County, was particularly startling,” Hyde-Smith said. “I’m pleased the U.S. Transportation Department has approved this emergency relief funding to address the costs of making necessary repairs to ensure public safety and commerce.”
The FHWA awards include:
- $12,952,530 – Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) for February 2020 heavy rain and severe flooding damage repairs
- $8,000,000 – National Park Service for January 11 and February 14, 2020, heavy rain and flood damage repairs
- $1,044,692 – MDOT for February 2019 flood damage repairs
- $749,010 – MDOT for April 12, 2020, storms and flooding repairs
- $41,963 – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for February 2019 flood damage repairs
