Special to The Mississippi Monitor
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved more than $26 million in additional funding to support disaster recovery efforts across Mississippi, providing assistance for debris removal, infrastructure repairs and other recovery projects following recent severe weather events.
The funding, distributed through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, brings the total amount reimbursed to Mississippi to nearly $94 million over the past 120 days.
According to FEMA, the latest round of funding will reimburse eligible communities for costs associated with 29 recovery projects. The projects include debris removal, repairs to critical infrastructure, restoration of parks and recreational facilities, and emergency protective measures designed to reduce immediate threats to life, public health, safety and property.
Several of the largest awards stem from recovery efforts following the January winter storm. Among the approved reimbursements are:
- Alcorn County: $4.8 million for debris removal.
- University of Mississippi: $4.5 million for debris removal.
- Prentiss County: $4 million for debris removal.
- Yalobusha County: $2.8 million for debris removal.
- Panola County: $1.7 million for debris removal.
- Leflore County: $1.2 million for debris removal.
- Twin County Electric Power Association: $977,000 for emergency protective measures.
- Natchez Trace Electric Power Association: $848,000 for utility repairs.
FEMA officials said the agency continues to work alongside state and local governments to help communities recover from disasters while strengthening infrastructure against future events.
The Public Assistance Program provides financial assistance to state, local, tribal and territorial governments, as well as certain eligible nonprofit organizations, to help communities recover from federally declared disasters.
State and local officials continue coordinating with FEMA to complete additional recovery projects and ensure communities receive the resources needed to restore public services and rebuild damaged infrastructure.