Hurricane Katrina Mississippi Recovery Update
Release Date: May 7, 2009
Release Number: 1604-714
» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina
Biloxi, Miss. -- The following is a summary of Mississippi recovery efforts from Aug. 29, 2005 through May 1, 2009:
FEMA's Individual Assistance program has provided nearly $1.3 billion to individuals and families in response to Hurricane Katrina:
- FEMA's temporary housing program ended on May 1, 2009.*
- Since Hurricane Katrina made landfall on Aug. 29, 2005, the program reached the following milestones in Mississippi:
- More than $1.2 billion in Individuals and Households Program funding was approved for 274,760 individuals and families in Mississippi;
- More than $851 million in Housing Assistance was approved for 216,558 individuals and families;
- More than $419 million in Other Needs Assistance was approved for 134,939 Mississippians.
- At the height of FEMA's temporary housing program in Mississippi, more than 41,000 temporary housing units (travel trailers and mobile homes) were in service. Since that time, more than 41,000 units have been deactivated.
- As of May 1, 2009:
- There were 1,791 occupied temporary housing units;
- 995 total occupied units in the three lower counties:
- Hancock 219
- Harrison 489
- Jackson 287
More than 2,800 Mississippi families have moved from FEMA temporary housing to Mississippi Cottages. The Mississippi Cottage is a part of the Mississippi Alternative Housing Program, which is administered by MEMA and is funded by a $280 million federal grant. For more information about the program, visit www.mscottage.org.
More than $2.8 billion has been obligated in various Public Assistance categories:
- More than $699 million obligated for land-based debris removal. To date, more than 46 million cubic yards of debris has been removed - that's equal to a football field stacked approximately 4.9 miles high.
- $879 million to repair public utilities;
- $631 million to repair or replace public buildings;
- $398 million for emergency protective measures;
- $84 million to repair roads and bridges;
- $1.2 million to repair water control devices such as ditches and irrigation channels.
- $168 million to repair and restore public recreational facilities such as state parks;
- $156 million to meet the costs of administering the PA grants.
MEMA administers PA funds. To date, MEMA has disbursed more than $1.75 billion of the $2.8 billion obligated by FEMA to PA applicants.
Preparing today for tomorrow's disasters:
- FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) brings together federal, state and local governments to prepare communities for future disaster events by providing grants to implement long-term solutions for protecting lives and property.
- MEMA, as designated by the governor of Mississippi, administers the HMGP. MEMA provides eligible grant applicants with assistance in mitigation planning, project selection, application development and reimbursement.
- Currently, FEMA has approved applications for new Hazard Mitigation projects totaling more than $160 million in obligated funding.
- 3,672 individual and community safe rooms and storm shelters have been funded with more than $11 million in mitigation funds.
- Across the state, 282 jurisdictions have MEMA/FEMA approved Hazard Mitigation plans.
- Specific efforts are being directed to upgrade critical facilities against wind and flood risk, and construct additional general population and special needs shelters. Technical assistance for engineering, architectural design, environmental and benefit cost analysis review is being provided to the state.
- The amount of funding available for the HMGP following a disaster is 7.5 percent of the total amount of federal assistance. $393 million in HMGP funds has been allocated for Mississippi as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
*With the end of the housing program on May 1, occupancy numbers are expected to change on a daily basis. For updated housing numbers, please contact the MEMA-FEMA Hurricane Katrina News Desk at (228) 594-3560.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
Last Modified: Thursday, 07-May-2009 14:56:41