JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi officials are urging residents affected by the May 6 tornadoes and severe storms to complete storm damage self-reporting forms on the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency website as recovery continues across the state.
MEMA External Affairs Director Scott Simmons said the citizen self-reporting tool helps emergency personnel assess the extent of storm damage and determine whether additional state and federal resources may be needed. “This self-report tool is not a 9-1-1 service,” MEMA said in a statement, advising that anyone with an immediate, life-threatening need should call 9-1-1.
Residents can visit the MEMA Report Damage page, select their county from a drop-down menu and complete the county-specific reporting form with information about storm-related damage to homes or property. MEMA said the system is used strictly for data collection and damage assessments and is not an application for financial assistance.
Officials said the information gathered may help support requests for federal disaster assistance. Many forms of aid, including Federal Emergency Management Agency housing assistance and Small Business Administration disaster loans, depend in part on verified damage assessments that underpin presidential disaster declarations. Officials also urged survivors to document losses with photographs, save receipts and contact insurance providers if they have coverage.
Simmons also encouraged residents to follow MEMA social media pages for updates on debris pickup, supply distribution and donation drop-off points. A donation site is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 702 Saints Trail NW in Brookhaven. Residents seeking to report damage can access the portal at https://www.msema.org/report-damage. This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
