Mississippi reports extensive storm, flooding damage
Mississippi officials say damage assessments are under way after severe storms and major flooding, with preliminary reports showing damage to 248 homes, 12 businesses, one farm, 65 public roads and two public bridges.
The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said 15 homes were destroyed and 79 sustained major damage. The agency said the numbers are preliminary and expected to increase as assessments continue.
County reports submitted to the agency show varying levels of damage. Franklin County reported one fatality. Harrison County reported 183 homes and nine businesses affected; Pearl River County, 35 homes and one business; Hancock County, 21 homes and one farm; Covington County, five homes and one business; Stone County, one business and 28 roads; George County, one home and seven roads and one bridge. Additional assessments continue in Forrest, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence and Walthall counties.
Three American Red Cross shelters remain open: Hancock County Necaise Shelter, 30360 Highway 603, Perkinston; Harrison County Saucier-Lizana Road safe room, 23715 Saucier-Lizana Road, Saucier; and Stone County Middle School shelter, 532 Central Ave., Wiggins.
The Old National Guard Armory on the State Fairgrounds in Jackson is accepting donations daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for survivors. Officials asked for buckets, bleach, rags, paper towels, mops and other cleaning supplies. The Salvation Army said it has distributed 600 cleanup kits — 200 each in Picayune, Wiggins and Biloxi.
Officials urged residents who sustained damage to file an insurance claim, photograph damage and report losses to their county or the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency via the self-report tool at https://www.msema.org/report-damage. Those with immediate unmet needs should contact their county emergency management agency; a list of contacts is at https://www.msema.org/get-assistance/county-emergency-management-contacts. This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
