Mississippi will receive nearly $60 million in federal disaster recovery funding for 40 projects, including debris removal and electrical system repairs, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The funding will support communities recovering from natural disasters, with projects benefiting several areas of the state, including Yazoo County and other North Mississippi communities.
FEMA is providing the money through its Public Assistance program, which reimburses state and local governments and certain eligible organizations for disaster-related expenses, including debris removal, emergency protective measures and repairs to damaged public infrastructure.
Among the largest awards are more than $9.6 million each for debris removal in Yazoo County and Tishomingo County. Prentiss County will receive more than $7 million for debris removal operations.
Other awards include more than $3 million for Yazoo Valley Electric Power Association to repair its electrical distribution system and more than $2.2 million for Pontotoc Electric Power Association for similar repairs.
The city of Oxford will receive more than $2.2 million for debris removal, while Lee County will receive more than $2 million for the same purpose. New Albany Light, Gas and Water will receive more than $1.4 million for public utility repairs and emergency protective measures.
In addition to recovery funding, Mississippi will receive nearly $680,000 through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to help reduce damage from future disasters.
The mitigation funding includes more than $415,000 for individual safe rooms following Hurricane Zeta in October 2020 and more than $260,000 for individual safe rooms following severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding in April 2020.
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program supports projects designed to reduce future disaster risks, including safe rooms, flood protection, drainage improvements and upgrades to public utilities and infrastructure.
FEMA said the latest announcement is part of nearly $896 million in funding for more than 600 projects nationwide to support disaster recovery and resilience efforts.
