From staff and AP reports

JACKSON – Mississippians, including Vicksburg residents, who want to learn how to protect their homes from future flooding can get assistance from Federal Emergency Management Agency mitigation specialists this week.

FEMA specialists will be at the Home Depot in Vicksburg, Brookhaven and Clinton, as well as at a Lowe’s in West Jackson from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

“They’ll have clean-up tips and information on how to mitigate against future damage from flooding, as well as from tornadoes, hurricanes and other disasters,” said Bettina Hutchings, FEMA external affairs officer.

Since establishing a disaster recovery center at the Kings Empowerment Center in Vicksburg on May 13, FEMA has approved $434,611.75 in federal aid. A total of 108 residents or families applied for aid in the county, but it is possible not everyone was approved to receive aid. Hutchings said the exact number of aid recipients was not available.

In total, 418 applicants in the four counties that received a presidential declaration for FEMA assistance – Warren, Wilkinson, Washington and Bolivar Counties – have been approved for $1,012,521 in federal aid.

The disaster recovery centers in all four counties will be closed Friday evening, said Hutchings. The centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday. Residents have through July 7 to register with FEMA if they wish to receive assistance, and can do so by visiting a recovery center, calling 1-800-621-3362 or visiting the FEMA website at www.fema.gov.