FEMA denies federal funding for April flooding
GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied federal funding for late-April flood damage in South Mississippi. FEMA says the total damage amount doesn’t meet the threshold for a disaster designation.
Harrison County Emergency Management Agency Director Rupert Lacy tells The Sun Herald he is disappointed with FEMA’s decision, and his office plans to file an appeal.
An intense storm system dumped close to 12 inches of rain on some sections of Gulfport, Biloxi and D’Iberville in less than five hours on April 28. The rain quickly swelled river levels and drained into low-lying areas.
Officials say there were 123 apartments either destroyed or considered to have suffered major destruction in the flooding. About 125 businesses suffered similar damage.
