
On April 27, 2011, the people of Northeast Mississippi’s tiny farming town of Smithville could hardly see a future beyond the next 24 hours. Today, the survivors of one of the deadliest tornadoes to strike Mississippi are looking nearly 20 years ahead at the Smithville of 2030. The one-time trading post has been framing a [...] [...]
by Associated Press Published: July 12,2012
Tags: disaster, disaster recovery, federal agency, federal government, grant, natural disaster, severe werather, tornadoes, Weather, wind
SMITHVILLE — The town of Smithville will continue receiving federal money to pay for five municipal employees whose work is focused on helping with recovery from the April 2011 tornado. WTVA-TV reports the board of aldermen approved receipt of a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The grant covers the salaries for the [...] [...]
by MBJ Staff Published: May 23,2012
Tags: awards, disaster, disaster recovery, mayor, municipal government, natural disaster, severe werather, small businesses, tornadoes, Weather
SMITHVILLE — A Mississippi mayor who led recovery efforts after a tornado destroyed the entire town has earned a Phoenix Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Mayor Gregg Kennedy of Smithville received the Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Public Official. SBA wrote: “When they heard the tornado warning sirens [...] [...]
by MBJ Staff Published: May 22,2012
Tags: county government, disaster preparedness, disasters, federal agency, federal government, flooding, floods, hail, hurricanes, natural disasters, rain, severe werather, state agency, state government, storms, tornadoes, tropical weather, Weather, wind
HINDS COUNTY — Hinds County has received the state’s 47th StormReady designation. Mississippi now has 24 counties, 16 communities, four state universities and three government sites designated as StormReady in Mississippi. “One of the things that we can count on in our state is severe weather,” said Mississippi Emergency Management director Robert Latham. “I hope [...] [...]
by MBJ Staff Published: May 16,2012
Tags: disaster, disaster preparedness, emergency, federal agency, flooding, floods, hail, natural disaster, preparedness, rain, severe weather, storms, tornadoes, Weather, winds
CLAIBORNE COUNTY — Claiborne County has received Mississippi’s 46th StormReady designation. Mississippi has 23 counties, 16 communities, four state universities and three government sites designated as StormReady in Mississippi. StormReady is a nationwide program of the National Weather Service that helps communities protect their citizens during severe weather and encourages communities to take a proactive [...] [...]
by Associated Press Published: April 30,2012
Tags: barn, cultural tourism, culture, demolition, Heritage, historical structure, severe weather, tornadoes, tourism, tourists, visitors, Weather, winds
ROLLING FORK — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expect to have the remains of the iconic Red Barn removed by June 15. The barn off U.S. 61 North was built by the Graft family in 1918, the old barn collapsed in heavy winds nearly a year ago. Corps spokesman Kavanaugh Breazeale tells the Vicksburg [...] [...]
by Associated Press Published: April 11,2012
Tags: colleges, construction, disaster, disaster recovery, education, higher education, natural disaster, Renovations, severe weather, tornadoes, universities, Weather
COLUMBUS — Construction and renovation projects, totaling more than $23 million, are underway at Mississippi University for Women as the college works through the midpoint of its 20-year master plan. The plan was developed following a 2002 tornado and, though school officials had hoped to be further along with some projects, overall good progress is [...] [...]
by Associated Press Published: April 4,2012
Tags: county govetnment, disaster, disaster preparedness, emergency managerment, evacuations, federal agency, federal government, hazard mitigation, hurricanes, infrastructure, natural disaster, roads, severe weather, shelters, streets, tornadoes, warning system, Weather
WIGGINS — The Stone County Board of Supervisors has approved an update of the county’s hazard-mitigation plan. Emergency management director Raven James tells The Sun Herald FEMA requires the county to have the updated five-year plan in order to receive funding in the case of a natural disaster or emergency. James says projects outlined in [...] [...]
by MBJ Staff Published: March 22,2012
Tags: damage, death, disaster, disaster recovery, disaster response, emergency, fatality, flooding, floods, homes, houses, natural disaster, power lines, rain, severe weather, storms, tornadoes, trees, Weather, wind
ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — Emergency management officials in Holmes County say severe weather may be to blame for one death in Lexington after a tree fell on a home late yesterday afternoon. According to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, five counties so far have reported damage from severe weather that moved across Mississippi yesterday. Damage reports [...] [...]
by Associated Press Published: March 14,2012
Tags: bills, building codes, construction, flooding, floods, hail, homeowners, homeowners insurance, homes, houses, hurricanes, insurance, law, lawmakers, legislation, legislative branch, legislators, Legislature, rain, residences, severe weather, state government, tornadoes, tropical weather, Weather, wind
JACKSON — The Mississippi House passed a bill yesterday to require insurance companies to offer discounts on costly hurricane coverage in five southern counties, including three on the Coast. Discounts are required by July 2013. They would go to single-family homes and some manufactured homes for meeting strong-house standards in the current building code, those [...] [...]