In recognition of today’s fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s devastating Gulf Coast landfall, FEMA has released a summary of federal spending/efforts in the state of Mississippi (perhaps other Gulf state numbers will follow?):
$9.5 billion: Total FEMA has already spent in Mississippi (up approximately $500 million since 2008).
$3 billion: FEMA obligated funds for infrastructure repair and replacement, debris removal, and emergency protective measures.
$2.6 billion: Amount paid by FEMA to 19,999 policyholders for flood claims through National Flood Insurance Program.
$1.3 billion: Given to 274,761 Mississippi households to pay for rent, repair or Other Needs Assistance through the Individuals and Households Programs.
$893 million: Obligated for public utilities.
$293 million: Slated for Mississippi through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to take actions to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property form natural hazards and their effects (administered by MEMA).
$252 million: Obligated funds to public schools (K-12) in the lower six counties.
$199 million: Approved funding for 279 HMGP projects throughout Mississippi.
$175 million: Obligated for the repair of ball fields, community centers, cemeteries, beaches and other recreational facilities.
$100 million: Obligated for the repair and rebuilding of historical significant buildings.
$97 million: Obligated for roads and bridges.
$19 million: Obligated to replace patrol cars and police equipment.
518,000: Mississippians registered for assistance through 1-800-621-FEMA or online at www.fema.gov.
750,000: Volunteers who have come from 1,000 organizations to help Mississippians in need.
88,000: The number of cubic yards of marine debris cleared in Hancock and Harrison counties to complete the debris removal mission in Mississippi, bringing the total debris removed to 46 million cubic yards.
74,434: Mississippians who now have flood insurance. This is approximately double the policies in effect since just before Hurricane Katrina.
23,789: The number of Public Assistance project worksheets (a dynamic record of each project used to collect information and provide justification).
4,000: Completed saferoom-storm shelters
455 : The number of temporary housing units currently occupied, a 99% decrease from the all-time high of approximately 43,000 occupied units
FEMA Press Release: “Hurricane Katrina By The Numbers: Four Years Of Rebuilding A Better Mississippi“