Those living in neighborhoods impacted by severe weather earlier this year, and in communities still reeling from the months-long flood, may soon hear a knock at the door.

This week, personnel and volunteers working the Federal Emergency Management Agency began canvassing areas in Warren County that were recently designed for federal individual assistance.

Teams began knocking on doors and meeting residents in the Eagle Lake community Wednesday.

FEMA teams are canvassing neighborhoods in Clay, Humphreys, Issaquena, Lowndes, Monroe, Sharkey, Yazoo and Warren counties.

By going into the areas most affected, teams are able to “quickly identify and address immediate and emerging needs.”

The teams have mobile technology to be able to register residents affected by the severe weather and flooding for federal assistance, update records and make referrals to FEMA’s community service partners.

DSA personnel also attend community events and seek out survivors at public gathering places like libraries and community centers.

“The information and assistance they provide are tailored to the individual survivor’s needs,” FEMA said in a release announcing the canvassing teams. “This assistance may include help to make temporary repairs to a disaster-damaged house, pay for another short-term place to live while permanent repairs are made or help with serious, disaster-related needs not covered by other programs.”

FEMA said assistance teams may offer residents the opportunity to use a tablet computer to register, or ask to enter information on their behalf.

Personnel working with FEMA will “never require survivors to provide personal information. DSA team members can easily be identified by their federal photo identifications and FEMA clothing.”

The agency also urged residents are reminded to ask for official photo identification before sharing personal information. It also said FEMA employees do not solicit or accept money from disaster survivors. FEMA staff never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help with registration.

Residents who sustained damage or losses caused by the Mississippi storms and flooding can register with FEMA in the following ways:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
• By calling FEMA’s toll-free registration line at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585). Operators are available seven days a week.
• Use a smartphone to register through http://m.FEMA.gov; click “Apply Online for FEMA Assistance,” and you will be directed to DisasterAssistance.gov.

By registering with FEMA, survivors may qualify for federal grants to pay for essential home repair or replacement; to rent a temporary home, and to pay other disaster-related needs, such as medical, dental, transportation and funeral expenses, moving and storage fees, personal property loss and child care not covered by insurance.