HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - Gov. Phil Bryant announced Wednesday that President Donald Trump has issued a disaster declaration for four Mississippi counties following tornadoes Saturday.
The declaration makes people in Forrest, Lamar, Perry and Lauderdale counties eligible for individual assistance up to $33,000. It also includes money to reduce hazards statewide.
The move comes as recovery continues from a tornado that ripped a 31-mile path across Lamar, Forrest and Perry counties, killing four. Wednesday, William Carey University’s 800 dormitory residents began returning to campus to retrieve belongings, and Hattiesburg’s bus system resumed running, using borrowed buses.
Bryant officially requested a federal disaster declaration Monday night, asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide aid to affected residents. Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Director Lee Smithson has warned that people will need other resources because federal aid isn’t designed to restore a home to pre-storm conditions.
“I would like to thank President Trump’s administration for its exceptionally quick response to our Mississippians in need,” Bryant said in a statement. “With more than 500 homes either destroyed or having suffered major damage, this federal assistance is critical to help these counties recover.
People can apply for FEMA assistance on online. FEMA will open local disaster offices later.
State officials estimate more than 1,200 homes sustained damage from Saturday’s storms, with more than 500 destroyed or seriously damaged. Though damage was reported in eight counties, more than 90 percent is in the cities of Hattiesburg and Petal and adjoining areas of Forrest County.
William Carey, a hard-hit Baptist institution, started online classes for medical students Wednesday. Also, intercollegiate athletes are moving into a dorm on the University of Southern Mississippi campus and resume practice. Athletic director DJ Pulley says William Carey is likely to play “home” basketball games at Jones County Junior College or Pearl River Community College.
William Carey said it hopes to publish a list of classes that will conclude its winter term online in the next two days, and tell where students to report for in-person classes. The university still promises to start its spring term on Feb. 20 as scheduled.
The university is still setting up temporary offices, has no phones, and hopes to get the internet reconnected Wednesday. Some buildings have electricity, while others do not. Overton said officials are asking students and others conducting business with the school by email to delay such correspondence if possible.
The school is seeking cash donations for students who will have to replace textbooks, computers and clothing and repair cars. However, William Carey said it will be at least 30 days before volunteers can help repair its campus.
“We will come out of this stronger than ever,” President Tommy King said in a statement.
Hattiesburg’s bus system began running again Wednesday, using buses loaned from Gulfport-based Coast Transit Authority to run fixed routes. The city tells WDAM-TV it hopes paratransit services are fully operational for next week. Buses were damaged by the tornado.
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