The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have opened a seventh disaster recovery center following a severe bout of severe weather that hit the state from April 8-11.
The center in Hancock County is located at the Tex Collector’s Office and Storm Preparedness Center at 18335 Highway 603 in Kiln. State and federal officials will be on-site to help survivors apply for federal assistance, check the status of their applications, and provide referrals to resources. Regular hours will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
Other disaster recovery centers open across Mississippi include:
Hinds County
Smith-Wills Stadium parking lot
1200 Cool Papa Bell Drive
Jackson, MS 39216
Hinds County
Hinds County Public Works Department parking lot
10000 I-20 Frontage Road
Bolton, MS 39041
Humphreys County
Humphreys County Multipurpose Building
417 Silver City Road
Belzoni, MS 39038
Madison County
Karl M. Banks Emergency Services Complex
1633 West Peace St.
Canton, MS 39046
Neshoba County
Dixon Volunteer Fire Department
14800 Highway 21 South
Philadelphia, MS 39350
Scott County
The Usry Voting Precinct, District 2 Building
5335 Old Highway 80
Forest, MS 39074
The above locations are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
FEMA’s federal coordinating officer, Jeremy Slinker, is encouraging anyone impacted in Hancock, Hinds, Humphreys, Madison, Neshoba, and Scott counties to apply.
“In this case, people may have already done some repairs or cleaned up. But they’re still eligible. We just want to keep encouraging people to apply. Don’t guess about whether you’re eligible for storm damage [assistance]. Apply and the process will let you know,” Slinker said, adding that over $2.2 million has already been allocated to survivors.
Slinker noted that residents who would prefer to apply for assistance online can visit DisasterAssistance.gov, the FEMA mobile app, or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.
To apply for assistance, the following is required:
- Social Security number
- Insurance information
- Damage information
- Financial information
- Contact information
- Direct deposit information
Per the most recent damage report from the April 8-11 severe weather, 13 tornadoes were confirmed with hundreds of homes and buildings being damaged.
