PEARL – Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Panola County that occurred December 23-28 are urged to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as they may be eligible for disaster assistance.
Although Panola County is yet to be included in the disaster declaration, Emergency Management Director Daniel Cole urged citizens who suffered damage to go ahead and report it to the number listed later in this story.
Cole told supervisors Monday that he expected Panola to be added to the list of counties already declared and said Thursday that by those victims going ahead and registering damage now, time may be saved later.
A presidential disaster declaration on January 4th makes federal assistance available to eligible individuals and business owners in Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Quitman, and Tippah counties.
In Panola 20 homes were damaged by wind or water,  eight had major damage, during the December tornados and floods that came through the west and northern section of the county as well as numerous farm buildings and timber stands.
Affected individuals and business owners in designated areas, including Panola according to Cole, can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs and for other serious disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may also be available to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance.
Mississippi residents should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.
PEARL – Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Panola County that occurred December 23-28 are urged to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as they may be eligible for disaster assistance.
Although Panola County is yet to be included in the disaster declaration, Emergency Management Director Daniel Cole urged citizens who suffered damage to go ahead and report it to the number listed later in this story.
Cole told supervisors Monday that he expected Panola to be added to the list of counties already declared and said Thursday that by those victims going ahead and registering damage now, time may be saved later.
A presidential disaster declaration on January 4th makes federal assistance available to eligible individuals and business owners in Benton, Coahoma, Marshall, Quitman, and Tippah counties.
In Panola 20 homes were damaged by wind or water,  eight had major damage, during the December tornados and floods that came through the west and northern section of the county as well as numerous farm buildings and timber stands.
Affected individuals and business owners in designated areas, including Panola according to Cole, can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs and for other serious disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may also be available to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance.
Mississippi residents should register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but under-insured applicants may receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.