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FEMA Registration - 800-621-3362/TTY - 800-462-7585

Mississippi: Traffic Information Line: 1-800-222-6362
Mississippi Hurricane Katrina Recovery Web site

September 9, 2005


September 7, 2005
Tuesday, September 6, 2005


Jackson, Miss. – Governor Haley Barbour announced today that President Bush granted Mississippi’s request to add additional counties to the Hurricane Katrina Presidential Disaster Declaration.

“I’m grateful that President Bush is granting our request that will allow us to provide assistance and help to so many Mississippians who are in need,” Governor Barbour said.

The following counties are eligible for both Individual and Public Assistance programs:
Adams, Amite, Attala, Claiborne, Choctaw, 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, Warren, Wayne, Wilkinson, Winston and Yazoo.

The following counties are eligible for Public Assistance only, which will include debris removal and emergency protective measures: Alcorn, Benton, Bolivar, Calhoun, Carroll, Clay, Chickasaw, Coahoma, DeSoto, Grenada, Holmes, Humphreys, Issaquena, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Leflore, Marshall, Monroe, Montgomery, Panola, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tippah, Tishomingo, Tunica, Union, Washington, Webster and Yalobusha.

Now all 82 counties are included in the declaration for either Individual or Public Assistance programs from FEMA.

The American Red Cross has created the Family Links Hotline, which will aid individuals who are seeking loved ones and family members in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The Family Registry can be accessed at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-877-LOVED-1S (568-3317). Concerned friends and family can register their loved ones and view the list of those already posted. Friends and family are encouraged to visit the list daily, because it is updated continuously.

A total of 33 states are providing 2,382 people to aid in the response and recovery efforts of Hurricane Katrina through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

Cellular South has established the following call and cell phone-charging centers in their stores and also tent locations:
Commissioner of Insurance George Dale announced today that the Mississippi Insurance Department has set up a special out-of-state-only 1-800 number so those residents of Mississippi who have been displaced to other states by Hurricane Katrina may contact the Department with insurance assistance questions. The number is 1-866-856-1982 and will be operational for the next 30 days.

Donations hotlines are established and taking calls on donations, such as calls about cash donations, donated goods and services, volunteers and volunteer groups, as well as vendor inquiries about selling goods and services.  Donations numbers are:
- Mississippi Donations Hotline:  1-866-230-8903. 
- Federal Emergency Management Agency Hurricane Katrina Donations Hotline: 1-800-440-6728. 
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September 7, 2005
FEMA Getting Assistance To Individuals

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As the response efforts to get people out of harms way and placed in safe clean environments continues, the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency is reaching out to individuals and assisting them in the application process for disaster assistance. The registration process is one of the first steps in receiving aid through FEMA's programs, and assistance is being expedited to assist those in need.

Expedited assistance to help people with their emergency needs of food, shelter, clothing, and personal necessities is being made available to individuals as they apply to FEMA on line at www.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585. FEMA personnel are fanning across the nation visiting shelters and setting up disaster recovery centers staffed with individuals to assist in the process of providing expedited assistance.

"We realize that many victims do not have access to the usual means of even registering for assistance, and FEMA is initiating efforts to bring the registration process to those in need," said Homeland Security's Principal Federal Official for Hurricane Katrina response and head of FEMA Michael D. Brown.

Currently, the amount of money being distributed through the expedited assistance program is $2,000 per household. This expedited assistance is made available by FEMA to those residents severely impacted by disasters from Mississippi and Louisiana who do not have the usual means of identifying damage to their property or unable to provide the immediate documentation necessary.

This emergency assistance is provided to help with disaster needs such as transportation, clothing, rental housing, other housing accommodations, and food, and is included in the calculation of total benefits for which victims are eligible.

Once individuals register with FEMA for assistance, funds will be made available either through the use of electronic transfer to put funds directly in individuals' bank accounts, debit cards in some locations, or by check that can be delivered directly to individuals through the US Postal Service. The US Postal Service and FEMA have been coordinating to be sure mail is able to be forwarded and delivered to individuals staying in shelters.

In instances where individuals do not have access to direct deposit banking means, or are unable to receive checks, FEMA is also implementing a new assistance delivery tool of issuing debit cards to the thousand of evacuees at the Houston Astrodome. The program at the Astrodome, in coordination with the US Treasury, will consist of FEMA teams assisting people in the registration process, with additional assistance from the banking community to deliver the debit card on site.

Once the registration process is complete, individuals without electronic funds transfer (EFT) will receive their card with a personal identification number (PIN) and the assistance will be loaded onto the card within 24 hours, allowing the debit cards to be used at any automated cash machine (ATM), or at any location accepting bank cards with the MasterCard logo. Those with EFT capabilities do not have to wait 24 hours as their funds will transfer quickly.

The use of the debit card program may also be offered in other large shelters where FEMA has assisted in moving the evacuees into those areas.

The emergency funds distributed through debit cards do not provide victims with more assistance than what others may get, but simply utilizes a new delivery method for expedited assistance. The expedited assistance being made available to individuals will only be a portion of the total assistance many people may need, and normal eligibility determinations will result in subsequent payments of assistance in the future.

Affected individuals in designated counties can register online for disaster assistance at www.fema.gov or call FEMA's toll-free registration line 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) - TTY 800-462-7585. Victims are encouraged to register on-line due to the possibility of high call volume. If registering by phone, owners of commercial properties and residents with only minor losses are urged to wait a few days before calling so those whose homes were destroyed or heavily damaged can be served first. Phone lines are open 24-hours, 7 days a week.

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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Water/Ice Distribution Sites
September 5, 2005
MISSISSIPPI EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
HURRICANE KATRINA NEWS RELEASE PDF
“Disaster Preparedness Saves Lives and Property”
Visit us online at www.mema.ms.gov
For Immediate Release 5 p.m. Sept. 5, 2005
Jackson, Miss. – All major highways and interstates are open in Mississippi, except for U.S. 90
along the Gulf Coast. Motorists are encouraged not to travel just to sightsee and to be aware that
local curfews are still in place in many affected areas. Also, because of lack of fuel and power in
affected areas, the danger still exists that motorists could be stranded. Local roadblocks may be
in place in certain areas. Law enforcement advice and directives should be followed. The
Highway Patrol strongly encourages persons not to drive in the southern coastal counties unless
absolutely necessary.
The city of Gulfport will only allow emergency personnel and public utility workers south of the
railroad tracks at this time. The area is unsafe due to numerous gas leaks and downed electrical
lines. Once problems in the area have been corrected, business owners and citizens who reside
south of the railroad tracks will be allowed to visit their respective property with proper
identification.
The American Red Cross has created the Family Links Hotline, which will aid individuals who
are seeking loved ones and family members in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The Family
Registry can be accessed at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-877-LOVED-1S (568-3317).
Concerned friends and family can register their loved ones and view the list of those already
posted. Friends and family are encouraged to visit the list daily, because it is updated
continuously.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will make cystic fibrosis drugs available to all patients affected
by the hurricane, regardless of their ability to pay. Patients who need medicines or specific
information about where to go for care should call the foundation at 1-800-FIGHT-CF or visit
www.cff.org.
BellSouth reports initially that 600,000 lines were out of service, but now approximately 365,000
lines have been restored. Approximately 1,422 employees are involved in service restoration and
the number of employees will increase by 50 percent. Company representatives predict it could
take four to six months before service is restored in severely impacted areas.
No damage assessments have been received from the Gulf Coast counties. Preliminary damage
assessments that are reported from 38 counties include:
· Homes/mobile homes destroyed: 396.
· Homes/mobile homes with major damage: 2,865.
· Homes/mobile homes with minor damage: 13,444.
· Businesses destroyed: 20.
· Businesses with major or minor damage: 670.
· Agricultural buildings destroyed: 227.
2-2-2
· Agricultural buildings with major or minor damage: 1,273.
The most current reports indicate a total of 382,167 meters without power. Reports from power
companies are:
· Entergy reported 59,615 meters without service.
· Mississippi Power reported 119,910 meters without service.
· Electrical Power Associations of Mississippi reported 202,642 meters without service.
· Tennessee Valley Authority reported: all outages restored.
In Mississippi there are 120 American Red Cross shelters open with 15,362 evacuees. In other
Southern states, there are now 679 Red Cross Shelters open with 229,000 evacuees.
The Mississippi Army National Guard now has 2,688 troops mobilized for the relief effort.
Guard personnel from 19 other states totals 10,568 troops mobilized in Mississippi. Another 522
troops are expected to arrive tonight.
Donations hotlines are established and taking calls on donations, such as calls about cash
donations, donated goods and services, volunteers and volunteer groups, as well as vendor
inquiries about selling goods and services. Donations numbers are:
· Mississippi Donations Hotline: 1-866-230-8903.
· Federal Emergency Management Agency Hurricane Katrina Donations Hotline: 1-800-
440-6728.
· Vendors interested in doing business with FEMA pertaining to Hurricane Katrina should
check the online information website at: http://www.fema.gov/
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MISSISSIPPI EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
HURRICANE KATRINA NEWS RELEASE  PDF
For Immediate Release 5 p.m. Sept. 4, 2005
Jackson, Miss. - Officials continue to urge Mississippi Gulf Coast evacuees not to attempt to
return home. Evacuees or residents attempting to get to the Gulf Coast could be impeding search
and rescue missions, which are still ongoing. Search and rescue teams, other support services
and commodities from other states have joined in the effort to assist federal, state and local
authorities.
Fuel supplies are improving and more supply is being made available. Citizens are urged not to
panic and begin to hoard fuel.
No damage assessments have been received from the Gulf Coast counties. Preliminary damage
assessments that are reported from 38 counties include:
· Homes/mobile homes destroyed: 393.
· Homes/mobile homes with major damage: 2,765.
· Homes/mobile homes with minor damage: 13,443.
· Businesses destroyed: 20.
· Businesses with major or minor damage: 670.
· Agricultural buildings destroyed: 227.
· Agricultural buildings with major or minor damage: 1,273.
The most current reports indicate a total of 468,320 customers without power. Current reports
from power companies are:
· Entergy reported 72,766 meters without service.
· Mississippi Power reported 132,824 meters without service.
· Electrical Power Associations of Mississippi reported 253,445 meters without service.
· Tennessee Valley Authority reported 9,285 meters without service.
Prior to landfall, the Mississippi Insurance Department began working with the insurance
industry in preparation for Hurricane Katrina. Steps that have been taken or are planned include
the following:
· Numerous staff members from the State Fire Academy and the Fire Marshall’s office
were sent to actively participate in search and rescue mission.
· Insurance Commissioner George Dale requested insurance companies suspend
cancellation of policies for non-payment of premium for 60 days in affected areas.
· Insurance companies throughout the country were contacted and adjusters were put on
alert.
· Companies now have thousands of adjusters entering Mississippi and many more on the
way to assist storm victims.
· Catastrophic loss teams are already in the state establishing claims centers.
· MID will be participating with MEMA and FEMA in the Disaster Recovery Centers.
· MID is working with MEMA to set up centralized claim centers in impacted areas and
has coordinated with the National Association of Insurance commissioners to handle
claims of people who were displaced to other states.
· MID offices will be open extended hours, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. beginning Monday, Sept.
5. Consumers may call 1-800-562-2957 or 601-359-2453. Offices are still experiencing
phone problems, so we ask consumers to please be patient.
According to the National Flood Insurance Program, there are 21,600 flood policies in the three
coastal counties. NFIP officials have authorized advanced payment of contents coverage.
A major challenge facing adjusters is going to be the determination of what caused the damage,
wind or water. Another challenge is lack of fuel for both adjusters and MID employees.
Commissioner George Dale encourages all insurance companies to be as generous as they can
and when a question arises to come down on the side of the insured. The insurance industry has
already issued thousands of claims checks.
The Mississippi Department of Health (MDH) is working closely with medical and emergency
personnel across the state and nationwide to help recovery and rescue efforts in the aftermath of
Hurricane Katrina. The Mississippi Department of Health requested Federal Disaster Medical
Assistance Teams, which have opened fully self-contained hospitals to assist with medical care.
The Mississippi Department of Health is issuing boil water notices for several communities and
cities, which can be found at the department’s website at www.msdh.state.ms.us. Information
for medical professionals who want to volunteer, including physicians, nurses and emergency
medical technicians, can also be found at the Department of Health’s website. Nurses who what
to volunteer should call a new number, which is 601-944-4838. Facilities seeking volunteer
nurses should call 601-953-5407 and 601-953-5408.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has established building and
structural debris disposal and vegetative debris disposal guidelines for city and county
governments in 28 affected counties. The guidelines can be obtained from MDEQ by calling
601-960-9047.
Timber damage and debris assessment flights began on Thursday with six teams of the
Mississippi Forestry Commission, FEMA and CORE personnel. A burn ban is currently in
effect in all coastal counties due to the amount of debris, which also resulted in problems
with water available to fight fires.
Currently, there are 111 American Red Cross shelters open. This number does not include
additional shelters opened by numerous community volunteer organizations.
The Mississippi Donations Hotline is now established and taking calls on donations, such as calls
about cash donations, donated goods and services, volunteers and volunteer groups, as well as
vendor inquiries about selling goods and services. The Mississippi Donations Hotline is: 1-866-
230-8903. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has also opened a Hurricane Katrina
Donations Federal Hotline, which is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at: 1-800-
440-6728. Vendors interested in doing business with FEMA pertaining to Hurricane Katrina
should check the online information website at: http://www.fema.gov/
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September 3, 2005
Urgent for Victims of Hurricane Dennis
September 8 is the last day to apply for federal/state disaster assistance for those who suffered losses from Hurricane Dennis.

Individuals and business owners can apply online at www.fema.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The TTY number for those with speech or hearing impairments is 1-800-462-7585. The Web site and toll-free numbers can be used to also check on the status of an application or update applicant information.

Those who have access to the Internet are encouraged to use the online “Individual Assistance Center” at www.fema.gov to alleviate congestion on the phone lines. The Web site is available 24/7. Applicants can review their application and update it with any new information, whether they applied by phone or through the Web site.

Loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for disaster-related losses to real and personal property and businesses of all sizes must also be submitted by the Sept. 8 deadline. SBA officials encourage anyone who has received a disaster loan application to turn it in as soon as possible. Failure to complete and return your SBA home loan application will stop consideration for other assistance programs, including additional grants.

MEMA -- Hurricane Katrina Missing Persons Report Form

MEMA -- Hurricane Katrina Volunteer Information
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September 2, 2005 12:15 P.M. CDT President Tours Biloxi, Mississippi Hurricane Damaged Neighborhoods

September 2, 2005 - USGS Center for Coastal Geology - Post-Storm Quick Response Photos - Hurricane Katrina Impact Studies -- Biloxi

September 2, 2005

MISSISSIPPI EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY HURRICANE KATRINA NEWS RELEASE

“Disaster Preparedness Saves Lives and Property”
Visit us online at www.msema.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10 p.m. Aug. 30, 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA UPDATE
Jackson – Officials continue to urge Mississippi Gulf Coast evacuees not to attempt to return
home. Evacuees or residents attempting to get to the Gulf Coast could be impeding rescue
missions. Several search and rescue teams, task forces, incident management teams and
emergency commodities from Florida are now in position on the Gulf Coast aiding other federal,
state and local authorities.

Non-emergency vehicles should remain off the highways south of Jackson. Non-emergency
traffic is making it extremely difficult for emergency response vehicles to travel. Generally,
highways north of and including Interstate 20 are open. Interstate 55 is open, and Interstate 10
will be closed for the foreseeable future. Highway information is listed for the public by calling
601-359-7017.

Patients accounted for in Gulf Coast hospitals and special needs shelters:
• Singing River Hospital: 160 patients.
• Ocean Springs Hospital: No patient numbers, but operational.
• Biloxi special-needs shelter: 80 patients with an additional 500 people walk-in and receive treatment.
• Keesler Medical Center: No patient numbers, but operational.
• VA Hospital in Biloxi: hospital full except for two beds.
• Biloxi Regional: 160 patients.
• Garden Park: 65 patients.
• Hancock County Medical Center: treated 125 patients in last 24 hours.
• Hancock special-needs shelter: 125 patients.
• Gulfport Memorial Hospital: 270 patients.

MEMA is only reporting confirmed deaths from county coroners’ offices. There are still no
confirmed deaths from the Gulf Coast area, but a total of 13 deaths are now confirmed from
other counties throughout the state. Adams County reports two deaths, Jones County reports six
deaths and one death is being reported from each of the following counties: Hinds, Lauderdale,
Leake, Simpson & Warren.

Power outages will be released from MEMA at noon and 9 p.m. each day. At 9 p.m. today,
power outage totals were reported from the following power companies:

• Electrical Power Associations of Mississippi reported 426,000 meters without service,
which is approximately 50 percent of the electric meters.
• Entergy reported 268,600 meters without service.
• Mississippi Power reported more than 195,000 meters are without service.
• Tennessee Valley Authority: 100,000 meters are without service.

The Mississippi State Department of Health is issuing boil water notices for several communities
and cities. Those notices and news releases can be found at the department’s Web site at
www.msdh.state.ms.us.
MEMA and Adventist Community Services are working to establish a facility to receive, process
and disburse donations to send to other areas of the state. They are seeking donation of a
50,000-100,000 square foot warehouse facility in Mississippi for this purpose.
A private corporation has begun an online survivor database for citizens at
www.gulfcoastnews.com.

National Guard troops will distribute water and ice, beginning Wednesday in the following
locations:
County Location City
Amite Amite County Court House Liberty
Attala Attala County Court House Kosciusko
Claiborne Claiborne County Parks & Recreation Port Gibson
Clarke Quitman National Guard Quitman
Copiah North Fire Station Hazlehurst
Forrest Bobby Chain Airport Hattiesburg
George National Guard 786 Trans. Co. Lucedale
Hancock Hancock County Livestock Arena Kiln
Harrison County Farm Gulfport
Hinds To be announced
Jackson Jackson County Fairgrounds Pascagoula
Jasper John R. Sims Livestock Facility Bay Springs
Jones Magnolia Center Laurel
Lauderdale Lauderdale County Agri Center Meridian
Lawrence Super Value Parking Lot Monticello
Leake Carthage Coliseum Carthage
Lincoln Brookhaven Recreation Dept. Brookhaven
Madison Madison County Road Dept. Canton
Neshoba Neshoba County Coliseum Philadelphia
Newton Civic Center/Show Barn Newton
Pearl River McNeill Elementary School Carriere
Pike Pike County Fair Grounds McComb
Rankin Rankin County Multi-Purpose Building Brandon
Stone Stone County Fair Ground Wiggins
Walthall Southwest Event Center Tylertown
Wayne Mississippi National Guard Waynesboro
Yazoo National Guard Armory Yazoo City
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