By Rita Howell

As of June 7, $246,239.47 has been  distributed to  350 individuals and families in Panola County according to FEMA representative Michael Skeels. Residents affected by recent weather-related disasters have been assisted in the Panola and Quitman counties by FEMA Strike Teams. Panola Countians affected by flooding April 26-27 are reminded that they have until June 28 to file for disaster assistance with FEMA.

Skeels said residents who suffered damage to homes or vehicles during those April storms may be eligible for assistance.

FEMA teams have spent six days registering flood victims in Panola County, and will return to the county next week to answer questions, registers those who need assistance and review individual cases, Skeels said. A FEMA team will be in Crenshaw at the police department Monday and Tuesday, June 13-14, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The team will be in Como Wednesday and Thursday, June 15-16, at the Senior Citizens Building from 8-6. On Friday and Saturday, June 17-18, the team will be in Sardis at the Emergency Management Office from 8-6.

The Panolian reported earlier that about 60 people were displaced by the April floodwaters, with 16 homes destroyed and 15 others heavily damaged. Most of the damage occurred in the northwestern Panola County, from Como west to Crenshaw.

“Many people might not think about it, but they should check their furnaces to be sure they work,” Skeels said. “If they wait until next fall and they don’t work, it will be too late to file.”

FEMA is currently working in 29 Mississippi counties affected by the April storms, and 14 counties suffering damage from Mississippi River flooding.

For information, call Panola County Emergency Management at 563-6245.