PEARL, Miss. – An outreach team from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be at the Home Depot store in Hattiesburg this weekend to explain techniques that may reduce potential damage to homes, businesses and property from high-wind events. The team will also offer tips on rebuilding stronger and safer after the recent tornadoes, storms and flooding.

PEARL, MISS., – Mississippians rebuilding from the recent storms and tornadoes should be aware that disasters often bring out phony contractors and rip-off artists who try to take advantage of storm survivors in the aftermath of the disaster.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency suggest ways people can protect themselves.

PEARL, Miss. – Feelings of loss after a disaster can be compounded by frustration – frustration in dealing with insurance claims, home repair contracts, or drawing up legal documents to replace those lost.

PEARL, Miss. –Landlords with available rental properties in Mississippi are urged to contact a housing locator service to list their available rental properties.

PEARL, Miss. – The arrival of a housing inspector is a vital step in determining both the amount and types of housing assistance FEMA may provide.

Survivors take the first step in their recovery by registering for disaster assistance with FEMA. After applicants register, a FEMA housing inspector may contact them to schedule an inspection of their damaged property.

The inspector usually comes within seven days after the survivor applies.

PEARL, Miss. - The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today that the four counties in the Mississippi federal disaster declaration – Forrest, Lamar, Marion and Wayne – are eligible to receive additional disaster assistance in recovering from the storms and tornadoes of Feb. 10.

In an amendment to the original presidential declaration, Forrest and Lamar counties are now eligible to receive Public Assistance in Categories C through G: 

Category C - Roads and Bridges

PEARL, Miss. – With the opening of a Disaster Recovery Center today in Foxworth, disaster survivors in Marion, Forrest, Lamar and Wayne counties can meet face-to-face with recovery specialists in five locations.

The centers are staffed with recovery professionals from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration, who can provide information and answer questions about disaster-related assistance.

NEW YORK — Disaster assistance to New York survivors of Hurricane Sandy:

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama's disaster declaration issued for the State of Louisiana.

Assistance for the State, Tribes, and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Louisiana to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe winter storms during the period of January 8 to January 17, 2013.

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nearly six months since the Aug. 29, 2012, federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, nearly $12 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved for the parish. Disaster assistance for survivors and their communities in Livingston Parish now totals $11,999,429.

Livingston Parish by the Numbers

TOTAL Individual Assistance grants: $7,900,306

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nearly six months since the Aug. 29, 2012, federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, more than $16.5 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved for the parish. Disaster assistance for survivors and their communities in Tangipahoa Parish now totals $16,521,281.

Tangipahoa Parish by the Numbers

TOTAL Individual Assistance grants: $10,936,953

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nearly six months since the Aug. 29, 2012, federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, nearly $31 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved for the parish. Disaster assistance for survivors and their communities in St. Tammany Parish now totals $30,917,776.

St. Tammany Parish by the Numbers                                                   

TOTAL Individual Assistance grants: $9,815,078

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nearly six months since the Aug. 29, 2012, federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, nearly $58 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved for the parish. Disaster assistance for survivors and their communities in Orleans Parish now totals $57,966,406.

Orleans Parish by the Numbers

TOTAL Individual Assistance grants: $14,211,934

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nearly six months since the Aug. 29, 2012, federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, more than $66 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved for the parish. Disaster assistance for survivors and their communities in Jefferson Parish now totals $66,002,788.

Jefferson Parish by the Numbers

TOTAL Individual Assistance grants: $17,973,620

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nearly six months since the Aug. 29, 2012, federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, nearly $91 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved for the parish. Disaster assistance for survivors and their communities in St. John Parish now totals $90,989,232.

St. John Parish by the Numbers

TOTAL Individual Assistance grants: $31,522,411

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nearly six months since the Aug. 29, 2012, federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, nearly $111.9 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved for the parish. Disaster assistance for survivors and their communities in Plaquemines Parish now totals $111,881,276.

Plaquemines Parish by the Numbers

TOTAL Individual Assistance grants: $10,745,555

Hurricane Isaac Six Months Later: $500 Million in Recovery Dollars – and Counting

BATON ROUGE, La. – In the nearly six months since Hurricane Isaac thrashed Louisiana, recovery has progressed for survivors, businesses and communities.

Below is a snapshot from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the state and federal assistance dollars approved to date and some milestones reached since the Aug. 29 disaster declaration:

BATON ROUGE, La. – Six months after Hurricane Isaac slammed into the Gulf coast, Louisianians are starting to make the transition from “survive” to “thrive.” Hard-hit communities are planning how to build back better than ever even as their residents are working to get their lives back on track.

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana property owners with flood insurance policies whose homes or other structures were damaged during Hurricane Isaac have an additional 60 days to file claims for their flood-related losses. This means most policyholders have until April 22 to complete their proof of loss claims.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) usually requires claims to be reported within 60 days from the date of loss. Four extensions have been granted.