Mississippi Receives Federal Emergency Declaration
From: Office of the Governor   Filed 8/30/08 GCN

Mississippi has received a federal emergency declaration for Hurricane Gustav.

In a letter to President Bush dated Aug. 29, Governor Haley Barbour requested a federal emergency declaration for the entire state in anticipation of the impact Hurricane Gustav could have on Mississippi and the Gulf Coast region.

“I want to thank President Bush and his Administration for acting quickly to approve this emergency request, which is essential to Mississippi's preparations for this storm,” Governor Barbour said Saturday.

The declaration allows the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FEMA to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures as authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act to save lives and protect public health, safety and property, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the state.

FEMA is authorized to provide emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent federal funding.

The assistance is applicable to all governments in Mississippi’s 82 counties.

FEMA Administrator David Paulison named Michael L. Parker as the federal coordinating officer for the federal recovery operations in the areas affected by Gustav.

Additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation.