Numbers Tell of Reconstruction of Mississippi Since Hurricane Katrina

August 29 will mark four years since Hurricane Katrina pummeled Mississippi. Since then, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in partnership with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and other state and local governments and organizations, has helped the state rebuild.

Billions of federal dollars have been spent during the past four years to help make rebuilding possible. The numbers listed below, some of which are rounded, feature highlights of the reconstruction process as of July, 2009 as reported by FEMA.

$9.5 billion
Total FEMA has already spent in Mississippi. This is up approximately $500 million since 2008.

$3 billion
FEMA obligated funds for infrastructure repair and replacement, debris removal, and emergency protective measures.

$2.6 billion
Amount paid by FEMA to 19,999 policyholders for flood claims through its National Flood Insurance Program.

$1.3 billion
Given to 274,761 Mississippi households to pay for rent, repair or Other Needs Assistance through the Individuals and Households Programs.

$893 million
Obligated for public utilities

$293 million
Slated for Mississippi through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to take actions to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property form natural hazards and their effects. Administered by MEMA.

$252 million
Obligated funds to public schools (K-12) in the lower six counties

$199 million
Approved funding for 279 HMGP projects throughout Mississippi

$175 million
Obligated for the repair of ball fields, community centers, cemeteries, beaches and other recreational facilities

$100 million
Obligated for the repair and rebuilding of historical significant buildings

$97 million
Obligated for roads and bridges

$19 million
Obligated to replace patrol cars and police equipment

518,000
Mississippians registered for assistance with FEMA

750,000
Volunteers who have come from 1000 organizations to help Mississippians in need.

88,000
The number of cubic yards of marine debris cleared in Hancock and Harrison counties to complete the debris removal mission in Mississippi, bringing the total debris removed to 46 million cubic yards.

74,434
Mississippians who now have flood insurance. This is approximately double the policies in effect since just before Hurricane Katrina.

23,789
The number of Public Assistance project worksheets. A project worksheet is a dynamic record of each project and is used to collect information and provide justification for
the project.

4,000
Completed saferoom-storm shelters

455The number of temporary housing units currently occupied. This represents a 99 percent decrease from the all-time high of approximately 43,000 occupied units.