Mississippi Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes - LSC Disaster Website : LSC Disaster Website

Page last updated: 05/30/2023

Overview

Mississippi Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (Disaster 4697)

Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes struck the state of Mississippi from March 24-25, 2023. On March 26, 2023, President Biden declared a major disaster.

People in the following areas are eligible to receive federal disaster assistance:

Carroll
Humphreys
Monroe
Montgomery*
Panola*
Sharkey

*Montgomery and Panola counties were added on March 30, 2023.

For the complete whitehouse.gov press release, please click here.

Important Deadlines

FEMA Application Deadline

Thursday, May 25, 2023

More Info

Appeal your FEMA decision letter

Within 60 days of the date on the determination letter.

Apply for Disaster Unemployment

Thursday, April 27, 2023
For more information, please read the official press release.

More Info

Apply for SNAP Replacement

Monday, April 24, 2023
On March 29, 2023, FNS approved the Mississippi Department of Human Services (DHS) request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to an EF-4 tornado that began March 24, 2023, through March 25, 2023. The waiver request applies to the six counties of Carroll, Holmes, Humphreys, Monroe, Montgomery and Sharkey. The waiver is in effect through April 24, 2023.

More Info

FEMA Assistance

Applying for Assistance

Applications for FEMA Assistance can be submitted by:

Phone: Contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY users can call 1-800-462-7585.

Online: Fill out the application at DisasterAssistance.gov

In-Person: You can also fill out the application at a FEMA Disaster Resource Center (DRC).

Mobile Registration Intake Center: MRICs move around regularly. They will be in an area for a short period of time to help survivors who need registration help. Visit FEMA’s Disaster Declaration page to find more information about the Mobile Registration Intake Center locations and hours.

Disaster Recovery Center: To find a Disaster Recovery Center near you, use the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s DRC locator or text “DRC” and your zip code to 43362 (4FEMA) to locate a Disaster Recovery Center in your area.

FEMA Fact Sheet: Remote Inspections

Due to the COVID-19 nationwide emergency declared by Former President Trump and the need to protect the safety and health of all Americans; FEMA will conduct remote home inspections for disaster survivors until further notice.

This fact sheet provides information about that process. It includes links to PDF and plain text versions.

As of June 1, 2022, FEMA is beginning to transition back to in- home inspections. Remote inspections may still occur if conditions make them necessary again.

What to Expect After You Apply for FEMA Assistance

Created by FEMA, this handout provides a basic overview what to expect after you have applied for assistance.

also available in:

Español

FEMA Fact Sheet: Returning to In- Home Inspections

As of June 1, 2022, FEMA reinstituted verification of disaster-caused losses through in-person home inspections. Multiple virtual methods were used to inspect survivor homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Disaster survivors’ health and safety remain FEMA’s priority so the agency will retain the ability to conduct inspections without entering the home.

This link will take you to FEMA’s fact sheet on in- home inspections.

Resources

Safety and Shelter Resources

Please check your local news and local officials for the latest safety and shelter resources.

Access information on Safety and Shelter assistance through the resources below.

American Red Cross Disaster Relief & Recovery Services

Explore resources from the American Red Cross on how to stay safe and recover from a disaster.

Website

Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) Locator

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are accessible facilities and mobile offices you can visit to learn more about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs. You may also visit to ask questions about your case. The DRC Locator helps you find the hours, services, and locations of DRCs near you.

Website

American Red Cross Shelter Locator

If an emergency has forced you to evacuate your home, the Red Cross may be able to help. All Red Cross shelters are free, open to everyone, accessible to people with disabilities, and accepting of service animals.

Website

Legal Assistance

A free legal help hotline is now available for Mississippi Tornadoes survivors.

The hotline is available to connect survivors to free legal services in qualifying counties who cannot afford an attorney. Survivors can call 1-877-691-6185. Hours of Operation are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Survivors can call the hotline anytime and leave a message if calling after hours.

For more information, please see the full press release (English | Spanish).

Introducing: Disaster Legal Services

The American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division has teamed up with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to create Disaster Legal Services (DLS) — a program designed to help survivors navigate the aftermath of presidentially- declared disasters. The DLS program provides immediate temporary legal assistance to disaster survivors—at no charge.

Issues where DLS can help include:

Insurance Claims
New Wills
Powers of Attorney
Other Legal Papers Lost During the Disaster
Problems with Landlords
FEMA Appeals
Home Repair Contracts and Contractor Fraud

Learn more through this short video.

Video

ABA YLD Disaster Legal Services Hotline

(888) 743-5749

To help meet the growing legal needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division has teamed up with RingCentral Inc. to create a national hotline to connect the Disaster Legal Services Program (DLS) with those seeking civil legal services.

Organization

North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, Inc.

(800) 898-8731

5 Country Road 1014
P.O. Box 767
Oxford, MS 38655

Provides free civil legal services to low-income people.

Organization

The Mississippi Bar

(601) 948-4471

643 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39202

Professional association of lawyers.

Organization

Mississippi Bar Young Lawyers Division

The Bar was founded in 1906. Today all of Mississippi’s 8,000+ lawyers are members of the Bar. The Bar’s Young Lawyers Division
has been providing disaster legal assistance in Mississippi since Hurricane Camille in 1969. The Bar’s Young Lawyers Division is composed of lawyers under the age of 37.

Organization