MEMA update from Tursday 9-22-05 Rita state of Emrg

[Dick Pache]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, 2005

HURRICANE KATRINA UPDATE

Jackson, Miss. – Disaster victims are urged to register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or online at http://www.fema.gov. A total of 99,572 Mississippi disaster victims have registered with FEMA.

FEMA has increased the phone bank staff from 800 staff members to 3,000 staff members to help increase the number of registrations from disaster victims. The number is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Both FEMA and state officials are opening Disaster Recovery Centers in affected areas for disaster victims to follow up on their registrations. Disaster Recovery Centers that are open or scheduled to open today are:
• Ocean Springs K-Mart, 3164 Bienville Road, Ocean Springs.
• Pascagoula High School, 1716 Tucker Ave., Pascagoula.
• Pelican Landing Convention Center, Miss. 6217 Highway 613, Moss Point.
• Waveland K-Mart, 344 U.S. 90 West, Waveland.
More than 400 FEMA community relations staff are deployed in Mississippi working at Disaster Recovery Centers, visiting shelters and conducting outreach in affected areas.

Preliminary damage assessments that are reported from 44 counties include:
• Homes/mobile homes destroyed: 535.
• Homes/mobile homes with major damage: 11,259.
• Homes/mobile homes with minor damage: 19,496.
• Businesses destroyed: 30.
• Businesses with major or minor damage: 783.
• Agricultural buildings destroyed: 255.
• Agricultural buildings with major or minor damage: 1,306.
No damage reports are available from Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson or Stone counties.

The most current reports indicate a total of 162,090 meters without power. Reports from power companies are:
• Entergy reported 5,472 meters without service.
• Mississippi Power reported 50,988 meters without service.
• Electrical Power Associations of Mississippi reported 105,630 meters without service.

Commodities to counties to date:
• 615 truckloads or 15,377,460 pounds of ice.
• 556 truckloads or 1,801,440 gallons of water.
• 332 truckloads or approximately 796,800 tarps.
• 277 truckloads or 1,914,624 Meals Ready to Eat.

In Mississippi there are 92 American Red Cross shelters open with 13,145 evacuees. American Red Cross’s Family Links Hotline: 1-877-LOVED-1S (568-3317) or http://www.redcross.org.

Through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, 3,258 civilian and/or emergency management personnel are deployed in Mississippi aiding with Hurricane Katrina response and recovery efforts. The Mississippi National Guard have 3,419 Mississippi troops and another 10,723 troops from 19 other states deployed to support Hurricane Katrina response and recovery efforts. A total of 14,142 troops are deployed.

Contractors interested in information for debris removal should call Ash Britt at 954-545-3535 or go to http://www.ashbritt.com. Contractors interested in information for temporary roofing should contact Carothers Construction, Inc. at 662-473-2525 or go to http://www.carothersconstruction.com.
Donations numbers are:
• American Red Cross: 1-866-HELP NOW.
• Mississippi Donations Hotline: 1-866-230-8903.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency Hurricane Katrina Donations Hotline: 1-800-440-6728.

http://www.msema.org/index.htm

[Dick Pache]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, 2005

HURRICANE KATRINA UPDATE

Jackson, Miss. – Disaster victims are urged to register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY: 1-800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impair. Registrations can also be made online at http://www.fema.gov. More than 154,000 Mississippi disaster victims have registered with FEMA and more than $144 million in disaster assistance has been obligated.

Commodities to counties to date:
• 1167 truckloads or 29,179,668 pounds of ice.
• 948 truckloads or 3,071,520 gallons of water.
• 289 truckloads or 1,997,568 Meals Ready to Eat.

U.S. Small Business Administration Facts:
• 94,950 Home applications submitted
• 17,437 Business applications submitted
• $240,000 in approved loans

Total Number of Visitors to Disaster Recovery Centers:
• Ocean Springs: 960 today (4,676 cumulative)
• Waveland: 315 today (896 cumulative)
• Pascagoula: 231 today (995 cumulative)
• Moss Point: 305 today (673 cumulative)

Fatality count is 218.

The following preliminary damage assessments have been reported:
• Homes/mobile homes destroyed: 1,102.
• Homes/mobile homes with major damage: 7,379.
• Homes/mobile homes with minor damage: 44,666.
• Businesses destroyed: 26.
• Businesses with major or minor damage: 955.
• Agricultural buildings destroyed: 126.
• Agricultural buildings with major or minor damage: 1,102
(No damages have been reported yet from George, Hancock, Harrison or Jackson counties).

Power outages reported:
• Electrical Power Associations of Mississippi: 58,878 meters without power.
• Mississippi Power Company: All meters restored except 25,451 meters that are unable to receive service.
• Entergy: All outages restored.

In Mississippi there are 89American Red Cross shelters open with 9,772 evacuees.
Family members trying to locate relatives are encouraged to contact the American Red Cross’s Family Links Hotline: 1-877-LOVED-1S (568-3317) or on their Web site at http://www.redcross.org.

Donations numbers are:
• American Red Cross: 1-866-HELP NOW.
• Mississippi Donations Hotline: 1-866-230-8903.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency Hurricane Katrina Donations Hotline: 1-800-440-6728.

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[Dick Pache]

September 12, 2005
DR-1604-MS-14
Joint Information Center Media Contact:
FEMA/Mississippi News Desk: 703-669-7445
SBA: News Desk 404-347-3771




FEMA EXPANDS PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TO HELP MISSISSIPPI REBUILD HURRICANE-RAVAGED INFRASTRUCTURE

JACKSON, MS.—The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has expanded its infrastructure funding to cover the cost of restoring roads, bridges and other public infrastructure in 43 Mississippi counties slammed by Hurricane Katrina, federal and state disaster officials announced today.

Under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, state and local agencies, Indian tribes and certain non-profits already could apply for federal funding for hurricane-related emergency protective services and debris removal in all 82 Mississippi counties.

The federal disaster declaration has been amended, effective Sept. 11, to make 43 of the storm-ravaged counties also eligible for funding to restore damaged and destroyed public facilities and buildings operated by non-profits that provide essential services of a governmental nature. “This funding is vital for rebuilding the infrastructure that Hurricane Katrina left in ruins,” said Robert Latham, director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

Applicants may submit applications for a wide array of projects, including the reconstruction or repair of roads, bridges, public buildings and equipment, utilities, water control facilities, parks and recreational facilities. “FEMA determined that many Mississippi counties needed the full range of Public Assistance to help put Mississippi’s damaged communities on the road to recovery,” said Federal Coordinating Officer William Carwile.

The Mississippi counties now eligible for the full range of Public Assistance funding are: Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Clarke, Copiah, Covington, Forrest, Franklin, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Hinds, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Kemper, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Leake, Lincoln, Lowndes, Madison, Marion, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Rankin, Scott, Simpson, Smith, Stone, Walthall, Wayne, Wilkinson and Winston counties.



FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
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Moderator note mabe this should be a sticky!

[Dick Pache]

September 13, 2005
DR-1604-MS-018
Joint Information Center Media Contact:
FEMA/Mississippi News Desk: 703-669-7445
SBA: News Desk 404-347-3771

HURRICANE KATRINA UPDATE

Jackson, Miss. – Disaster victims are urged to register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or
TTY: 1-800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired. Registrations can also be made online at http://www.fema.gov.

More than 182,302 Mississippi disaster victims have registered with FEMA and more than $172,295,380.77 in disaster assistance has been obligated. A total of 82,567 payments have been made for a total of $167,163,932.41.

Commodities to counties for distribution to residents to date:
• 1191 truckloads or 29,779,764 pounds of ice.
• 963 truckloads or 3,120,120 gallons of water.

Commodities supporting disaster response and recovery to date:
• 2,349 truckloads or 93,960,000 pounds of ice.
• 1,994 truckloads or 35,892,000 liters of water.
• 344 truckloads of meals ready-to-eat (MREs) or 7,224,000 meals.

U.S. Small Business Administration Facts:
• 127,161 home applications referred to SBA.
• 19,759 business applications referred to SBA.
• 1 loan approved.
• $240,000 approved loan amount.

Total number of visitors to Disaster Recovery Centers:
• Moss Point: 1,074.
• Ocean Springs: 6,161.
• Pascagoula: 1,362
• Poplarville: 91.
• Waveland: 1,230.

The following preliminary damage assessments have been reported:
• Homes/mobile homes destroyed: 1,187.
• Homes/mobile homes with major damage: 7,286.
• Homes/mobile homes with minor damage: 60,665.
• Businesses destroyed: 24.
• Businesses with major or minor damage: 989.
• Agricultural buildings destroyed: 136.
Page 2—Katrina Update 9-13-05



• Agricultural buildings with major or minor damage: 1,138.
(No damages have been reported yet from George, Hancock, Harrison or Jackson counties).

Mississippi National Guard has deployed 3,739 Mississippi troops and an additional 11,895 troops from 19 other states.

Electrical Power Associations of Mississippi report 47,758 meters without power.

In Mississippi there are 122 American Red Cross shelters open with 10,073 evacuees.
Family members trying to locate relatives are encouraged to contact the American Red Cross’s Family Links Hotline: 1-877-LOVED-1S (568-3317) or on their Web site at http://www.redcross.org.

Donations numbers are:
• American Red Cross: 1-866-HELP NOW.
• Mississippi Donations Hotline: 1-866-230-8903.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency Hurricane Katrina Donations Hotline: 1-800-440-6728.

FEMA and MEMA are working with local and voluntary agency officials in Mississippi and engaging the private sector to identify and transport housing resources. Persons needing housing must register with FEMA by calling, toll-free 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) TTY 1-800-462-7585. Applicants will be contacted by FEMA when housing is available.



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FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

[Dick Pache]

CONTACT: Office of the Governor
Pete Smith (601) 359-3150 or (601) 720-8733
Kathryn Stewart (601) 359-3150

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 14, 2005

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES DEBRIS REMOVAL ASSISTANCE
(Jackson, Miss.) – Governor Haley Barbour today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will reimburse local governments for debris removal on private property. This includes the counties of George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone.

“This situation poses an immediate threat to public health and safety, so we are very grateful to have debris removal assistance from FEMA,” Governor Barbour said. “Now, thousands of property owners and local governments who have suffered catastrophic destruction have additional support that they need.”

FEMA will work with local governments to prepare reimbursements of eligible cost for removing debris from private property. The 37 remaining counties may also be eligible for debris removal from private property on a case-by-case basis. The determination will be based on threat to life, public health, and safety.

“FEMA is committed to economic recovery in all of Mississippi’s impacted counties, FEMA Official Bill Carwile said. “Debris removal on public and private property is a first step in helping communities get back to business.”

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[Dick Pache]

SBA: News Desk 404-347-3771

HURRICANE KATRINA UPDATE

Jackson, Miss. – Disaster victims are urged to register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or
TTY: 1-800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired. Registrations can also be made online at http://www.fema.gov.

More than 246,457 Mississippi disaster victims have registered with FEMA and more than $214,685,089.92 in approved payments. At 3 p.m., a total of 15,931 disaster victims had been to the five open Disaster Recovery Centers that are open in Moss Point, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, Poplarville and Waveland.

Fatality count remains at 218.

U.S. Small Business Administration facts:
• 149,836 home applications received.
• 25,983 business applications received.

Electrical Power Associations of Mississippi report 26,152 meters without power.

FEMA will reimburse local governments for debris removal on private property in the following counties: George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone. Other counties may also be eligible for debris removal from private property on a case-by-case basis. The determination will be based on threat to life, public health and safety.

In Mississippi there are 123 American Red Cross shelters open with 10,739 evacuees.

Donations numbers are:
• American Red Cross: 1-866-HELP NOW.
• Mississippi Donations Hotline: 1-866-230-8903.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency Hurricane Katrina Donations Hotline: 1-800-440-6728.

FEMA and MEMA are working with local and voluntary agency officials in Mississippi and engaging the private sector to identify and transport housing resources. Persons needing housing must register with FEMA by calling, toll-free 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) TTY 1-800-462-7585. Applicants will be contacted by FEMA when housing is available.



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FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

[Dick Pache]

CONTACT: MEMA
Lea Stokes (601) 352-9100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 22, 2005


STATE OF EMERGENCY ISSUED FOR HURRICANE RITAJackson, MS – At the request of Governor Haley Barbour, Lt. Governor Amy Tuck today signed a State of Emergency for the State of Mississippi due to the changing path of Hurricane Rita.

“I urge all Mississippians to please take this storm seriously. Now is the time to prepare yourself, your family and your friends,” Governor Barbour said.

Governor Barbour is in Washington, D.C., meeting with congressional and administration leaders in efforts to detail the federal government's financial commitment to help South Mississippi recover and rebuild in the wake of devastating damages inflicted by Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29.

As for the new storm Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) officials urge all Mississippi residents to prepare for the possibility that Hurricane Rita could cause heavy rains, flooding and even tornadoes throughout portions of the state once the storm makes landfall sometime Friday or Saturday.

MEMA officials began conference calls earlier today with county emergency management officials to prepare for any voluntary or mandatory evacuation orders that may be issued by local officials. County officials are prepared to begin opening shelters as needed.

Residents are urged to be prepared with the following items:

• Water - Store at least one gallon of water per person per day.
• Food - Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water.
• First Aid Kit - Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. Be sure to include prescription drugs and insulin.
• Tools and Emergency Supplies – Include a battery-operated radio, flashlight, extra batteries, a manual can opener, sanitation items, feminine supplies, garbage bags, paper plates and cups and plastic utensils.
• Clothing and Bedding - Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person and blankets.
• Special Items - Remember family members with special needs such as infants and elderly or disabled persons. Also keep a copy of important family documents, such as insurance policies, social security cards, an inventory of valuable household goods, family records and bank account information in a waterproof container.


For traffic information, motorists are urged to call the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s Traffic Information line at: 601-359-7017.

For more information on Hurricane Rita, go to MEMA’s Web site at http://www.msema.org <http://www.msema.org/> or listen to your local Mississippi Public Radio station.

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[HurryKane]

Thanks for posting these, btw.