MS Coast centers open for Hurricane Zeta disaster assistance. Here’s how to apply
Hurricane Zeta has been declared a major disaster in Mississippi for the counties of George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson and Stone, freeing federal funds for repairs and low-interest loans for resident and business owners.
Five Registration Intake Centers will open Tuesday, Jan. 12 in George, Green, Hancock, Harrison and Stone counties. Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is waiting on local approval to open a center in Jackson County.
The locations will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 8 a.m.-noon Saturday and masks are required.
The locations in each county are:
- George — Senior Citizen Building, 7102 Mississippi 198 East, Lucedale
- Greene — 1 Community Center, 4279 High School Road, Leakesville
- Hancock — Hancock County Resource Center, 454 U.S. 90, Suite B, Waveland
- Harrison — Harrison County Annex, 9229 U.S. 49, Gulfport
- Stone — New Hope Road Shelter, 1084 New Hope Road, Wiggins
“Although we are encouraging all residents to apply online or by phone, we know that not all Mississippians have access to internet, computers or even phones,” said MEMA Executive Director Greg Michel.
In George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Perry, Stone, and Wayne counties, officials also can tap into public assistance to help cover emergency work and repairs or replacement of public facilities the storm damaged, a news release from the White House says.
Localities statewide can apply for funds to take hazard mitigation measures. Under the federal Stafford Act, localities are eligible for federal funding on a cost-share basis.
President Donald Trump declared the disaster on New Year’s Eve, ordering federal assistance to help South Mississippi counties recover from the worst hurricane to hit the area since Katrina in August 2005.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves tweeted New Year’s morning about the disaster declaration, which residents and government officials have anxiously awaited. Alabama counties received a federal disaster declaration Dec. 10 for Zeta damage.
Reeves thanked the president, saying, “Homeowners, local governments, and business owners in the declared counties can start the new year rebuilding from this storm.”
Applying for Zeta disaster assistance
Zeta pummeled the state with hurricane winds and tidal surge Oct. 28. By Nov. 25, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency had documented $10 million in damage to individual homes and $79 million in damage to public infrastructure
Available assistance will include temporary housing and home-repair grants, loans for uninsured property losses, and other programs for individuals and business owners.
The news release says additional relief may be provided if warranted as the result of future damage assessments.
Residents and business owners with Zeta losses in designated counties can register online for disaster assistance at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.
This story was originally published January 1, 2021 at 9:44 AM.
