NATCHEZ — As thousands of south Louisiana flood victims apply for disaster assistance, residents of Crosby and Centreville are left wondering if they will receive any help from the federal government.

State officials from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency confirmed Tuesday that Mississippi will not be eligible for assistance from FEMA.

“The damage in Crosby and Centreville wasn’t enough to meet the criteria for a federal declaration of disaster,” said MEMA public information officer Greg Flynn.

Flash flooding forced many Crosby residents from their houses when Aug. 15 storms dumped more than a foot of rain on the community. More than 200 people are still out of their houses or apartments.

Flynn said 25 or 26 houses in Wilkinson County received major damage and two houses were destroyed.

Unlike the situation in Louisiana, where more than 10,000 houses were damaged or destroyed, the amount of damage (in Wilkinson County) doesn’t meet the federal government’s threshold, Flynn said.

Crosby Mayor William Hall said he is disappointed that the community isn’t eligible, but he is not giving up.

“I am pursuing every means possible to apply for an emergency declaration,” Hall said.

Hall said U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson told him other options may exist to obtain an emergency declaration from President Barack Obama. Hall plans to get a resolution passed by town’s board of aldermen to send to Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, who he hopes will send it directly to the president.

Lashandra Harness says she doesn’t understand why Crosby cannot get federal assistance. Harness’ parents own a house that was damaged in the recent flood.

“The same thing that happened in south Louisiana is the same thing that happened in Crosby, but on a smaller scale.” Harness said. “I would like them to revaluate the federal requirements.”

Flynn said MEMA and the state are working on several available options to help Crosby residents.

“We are going to apply to the small business administration for low-interest loans,” Flynn said.

MEMA will also use leftover funds from the Hurricane Katrina Cottage Sales program to help buy building supplies to repair houses in Amite and Wilkinson counties. Approximately $250,000 will be used, Flynn said.

Mayor Hall said the town is currently in recovery mode, removing molded furniture and walls out of damaged houses. A group of 24 apartments has been emptied, and owners hope soon to begin doing the work necessary to get the apartment back up and running, Hall said.

The contractor working on the job hopes to have the apartments ready by the end of October or early part of November, Hall said.

Meanwhile, Hall said he would continue to do what he can to get the help the community needs.

“I tried in vain to get President Obama to fly over the area on his way to Baton Rouge,” Hall said. “I made a call to The White House but I was referred to the House of Representatives where I contacted Bennie Thompson.”