WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency  announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Mississippi to supplement the state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by flooding beginning on May 3 and continuing.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Adams, Bolivar, Claiborne, Coahoma, DeSoto, Humphreys, Issaquena, Jefferson, Sharkey, Tunica, Warren, Washington, Wilkinson, and Yazoo counties.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance today by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362).

As of 11 a.m., the river stood at 59.03 feet, the highest-record water level ever at Natchez. Flood stage at Natchez is 48 feet.

Until flood worries wane, The Natchez Democrat will post daily river updates at noon and 5 p.m. Breaking news and other alerts will be posted throughout the day, as available. Also, a live feed of the Natchez river level is constantly updated 24-7 on our home page.

Send flood-related questions or submit flood photographs to newsroom@natchezdemocrat.com