Pearl – The State of Mississippi, local officials, hundreds of volunteers, faith-based organizations, and private sector partners continue to respond to the deadly tornadoes that swept through the state on March 24, 2023. As the response continues, MEMA’s top goals are debris removal, utility restoration (power, gas, water, sewer), and assessing temporary and long-term housing solutions for those displaced.
Residents in Carroll, Humphreys, Monroe, Montgomery, Panola, and Sharkey can now register for FEMA Individual Assistance by going online to disasterassistance.gov or calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or visiting a Disaster Recovery Center:
Carroll County
J.Z. George High School
900 George St.
Carrollton, MS 38947
Humphreys County
Humphreys County Library
105 Hayden St.
Belzoni, MS 39038
Monroe County
Justice Court Building
1619 Highway 25
Amory, MS 38821
Sharkey County
Heritage Manor
431 West Race St.
Rolling Fork, MS 39159
Center hours are 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday; 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday.
FEMA and MEMA remind Mississippians who receive federal disaster assistance for the March tornadoes to use the money for its intended purpose and keep receipts for three years.
Disaster assistance is intended to help survivors pay for basic expenses caused by the disaster. A letter explaining what the payment is to be used for arrives within a day or two of the check or direct deposit payment.
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If applicants spend the payment on anything other than the purpose for which it is intended, they may be denied future disaster assistance. In some cases, FEMA may ask that the money be returned.
Small Business Administration Information:
The disaster declaration covers Carroll, Humphreys, Montgomery, Monroe, Panola, and Sharkey counties in Mississippi, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Attala, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Clay, Grenada, Holmes, Issaquena, Itawamba, Lafayette, Lee, Leflore, Lowndes, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica, Washington, Webster, Yalobusha and Yazoo in Mississippi.
SBA Portable Loan Outreach Center (PLOC)
Sharkey County
South Delta High School (parking lot)
Rolling Fork, MS 39159
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ and should apply under SBA declaration # 17836.
Transportation Services:
Residents impacted by the tornadoes with transportation needs can utilize the following:
- Bolivar County Council on Aging Inc. – (662) 846-6161
- 4 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Seven Days a Week
- For Residents in Bolivar, Coahoma, Humphreys, Issaquena, Madison, Sharkey, Sunflower, Warren, Washington, and Yazoo
- Central Mississippi, Inc. – (662) 283-4781 EXT. 317
- 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Monday-Friday
- For Residents in Attala, Carroll, Grenada, Holmes, Lefore, Montgomery, and Yalobusha
- Mississippi Christian Family Services – (662) 873-4842
- 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Monday-Friday
- For residents in Issaquena, Sharkey, Washington, and Yazoo
- Sunflower/Humphreys Counties Progress, Inc. – (662) 887-1431 or Toll-Free:1-888-677-1461
- Demand Response
- For residents in Sunflower, Holmes, and Humphreys
ESF #6 Mass Care and Human Services
- The USDA Food and Nutrition Service FNS has granted approval for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in Carroll, Grenada, Holmes, Humphreys, Lee, Leflore, Lowndes, Monroe, Montgomery, Sharkey, Sunflower, Washington, and Yazoo counties to use their EBT card to purchase hot foods through April 28, 2023.
Many residents in the hardest hit areas may be, for an undetermined amount of time, displaced and living temporarily in surrounding counties. Such households may lack the ability to store food or have access to cooking facilities as they seek to recover from the disaster.
Normal SNAP rules prevent Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card holders from using SNAP benefits to purchase hot foods and hot food products prepared for immediate consumption.
FNS has notified SNAP authorized retailers in the above counties of this special provision.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households in the following counties who suffered food loss as the result of the tornadoes have until Monday, April 24, 2023, to request replacement benefits: Holmes, Montgomery, Sharkey, Humphreys, Carroll, and Monroe. Residents must request a replacement at their local Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS). Households can also submit the replacement request using mail, email, or the upload feature on the MDHS website. (www.mdhs.ms.gov). The Household Statement of Food Loss Due to Household Disaster, MDHS-EA-508 is available on the MDHS website https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/snap-replacement-benefits-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/. For assistance completing the SNAP replacement application, contact the Economic Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-948-3050.
- The Department of Mental Health reports that the Region 6 Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) is responding to the community to bring supplies and meet mental health needs. Those specialists are available to provide services in the community for anyone experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The DMH Helpline is also available for information and referral services and can be reached at 1-877-210-8513.
Donation Information and Needs:
| Location | Address | Point of Contact | Hours of Operation |
| Humphrey’s County Emergency Management Agency | 106 East Street
Silver City, MS |
Tamekia Jones 662-836-8347 | 8:00a- 6:00p |
|
Old Amory Garment |
902 Main Street South
Amory, MS |
Patty Parker 662-257-2474
|
10:00a – 6:00p |
| Amory Regional Museum | 801 3rd Street South Amory, MS | Wayne Knox 662-315-1849, 662-256-276 | 10:00a- 6:00p |
| Carroll-County-Old Vaiden High School Gym | 504 Mulberry
Vaiden, MS 39176 |
Stella Bell 662-897-0511 | 10:00a – 4:00p
|
- Non-perishable food and drinks (especially caffeinated and sports drinks)
- Hygiene products
- Laundry Detergent
- Baby Items (formula/diapers)
- Paper Products
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