The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved $1,934,879 to reimburse Sharkey County for emergency protective measures following the March 24-25 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes that devastated the area in 2023.

The severe storms created an immediate threat to the health and safety of the public, requiring emergency response and protective measures. These services included but were not limited to: temporary services; restrooms; showers; laundry; generators; wastewater disposal.

All work and costs fell between March 28, and April 22, 2023. FEMA authorized a 100-percent federal cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures for a continuous 30-day period of the state’s choosing within the first 120 days of the March 24-25 tornadoes.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants for state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations to reimburse the eligible cost of debris removal, emergency protective measures and facility restoration.

For the latest information on recovery from the March tornadoes, visit msema.org and www.fema.gov/disaster/4697. On X/Twitter follow MEMA @MSEMA and FEMA Region 4 @femaregion4.