The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is entering into an agreement with the American Red Cross to assist in temporarily lodging displaced residents from the deadly tornadoes that hit the state on March 24.
Eligible disaster survivors will be placed into hotel or motel rooms and have meals provided for up to six months based on need.
MEMA and Red Cross have partnered with multiple local hotels in Carroll, Humphreys, Monroe, Montgomery, Panola, and Sharkey, and nearby counties that are able to accommodate victims.
“Helping the impacted communities get back on their feet is our top priority. This contract with the Red Cross is going to be really important in getting Mississippians the resources they need to recover,” Governor Tate Reeves said. “We’ll continue to use every available resource to restore and rebuild our communities. We’re committed to being here for as long as it takes. Incredibly thankful for all those continuing to coordinate recovery efforts and those on the ground assisting survivors across our state.”
To further help disaster survivors, Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) case managers will address the needs of each eligible citizen and support their recovery progress.
To qualify for this program, survivors must register first with FEMA here or call (800) 621-3362. Displaced storm survivors who need temporary lodging under this program should call (1-800) 733-27677.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is entering into an agreement with the American Red Cross to assist in temporarily lodging displaced residents from the March 24, 2023, deadly tornadoes.
For more information: https://t.co/XAgr4fsleL pic.twitter.com/h2c7lnqD5O
— msema (@MSEMA) April 11, 2023
Currently, over 500 Mississippians are residing in local hotels due to the tornadoes. Hotel availability may change during the sheltering mission, but the Red Cross is prepared to relocate residents to another facility if necessary.
