$241K in aid funds approved for area

Published 12:04 am Friday, September 28, 2012

NATCHEZ — Approximately a quarter million dollars in storm recovery aid funds have been approved for residents of Adams and Wilkinson counties.

Both counties had disaster recovery centers opened by the Federal Emergency Management Agency following Tropical Storm Isaac. Both centers officially closed their doors Wednesday evening after approximately a week-and-a-half of operations.

The disaster recovery centers were opened to help those whose homes or businesses were damaged apply for aid to repair damages that were not fully covered by insurance, or — if the structure was significantly damaged — to help homeowners relocate.

Email newsletter signup

FEMA Spokesman Gene Kauffman said Adams County’s DRC had 374 people file applications for aid or request further information.

A total of $136,480.39 in aid was approved.

In Wilkinson County, a total of 320 sought information or filed applications at the DRC, and a total of $105,846.34 in aid had been approved.

The numbers of applications and the amount of approved funds was based on the last available count, which was Tuesday, Kauffman said.

“Those numbers are going to be a moving target at this point, because we still have people who are registering,” he said.

While registration can no longer be done in person, applications for aid can be done by phone or online at www.disasterassistance.gov.

“The important thing is that people can still register,” Kauffman said. “We don’t want anybody to slip through the cracks, and we want to help everybody who needs help and is qualified.”

The deadline for disaster aid registration is Oct. 31.