Jackson, MS -- Disaster assistance for Coahoma and Tallahatchie counties has been expanded to include aid for homeowners, renters and businesses affected by the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Mississippi, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today.

FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh said the additional assistance was approved based on a review of damage data gathered by federal, state and local disaster recovery officials. The counties were previously designated for public assistance under the original major disaster declaration issued by President Bush on December 7.

Affected residents and business owners in Coahoma and Tallahatchie counties may apply for assistance immediately by calling the toll-free registration number, 1-800-621-3362, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, until further notice. Those with a speech or hearing impairment may call a special TTY number at 1-800-462-7585. The deadline to apply for disaster assistance is February 5, 2002.

Allbaugh said calling these numbers is the only way to apply for a wide range of state and federal disaster assistance programs that can include funding for temporary housing, U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance, and grants for serious needs and necessary expenses not met by other programs.

The 17 counties now eligible for individual disaster assistance are: Bolivar, Coahoma, DeSoto, Grenada, Hinds, Humphreys, Lafayette, Leake, Madison, Panola, Quitman, Scott, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica and Washington.