Flood Victims Denied FEMA Assistance

FEMA has denied federal funding for the April 28th flood damage in South Mississippi.
FEMA officials say the total amount of damage did not meet requirements for a disaster designation. Parts of the D’Iberville, Biloxi and Gulfport area received nearly 12 inches of rain in less than five hours on April 28th.
The intense amount of rainfall caused river flooding throughout the county. Officials say 123 apartments were either destroyed or suffered major destruction in the flooding. Nearly 125 businesses suffered similar damage. Harrison County Emergency Management Director Rupert Lacy said, “What we have to understand is disasters are becoming more and more common. It’s getting more competitive to make sure you meet the thresholds. So we, as homeowners, we also need to be prepared just in case we don’t get the federal assistance.”
Lacy tells News 25 that his office plans to file an appeal and he’s confident Governor Bryant will sign it.