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Hancock County Information
Filed - 9/25/05

TUNE TO 103.5 FM FOR REGULAR HANCOCK COUNTY RECOVERY INFO or call

Hancock County Info Lines, Monday thru Friday: (228) 466-8234, 35, 36, 37, 38, and 41.

CUSTOMERS OF COAST ELECTRIC can report power outages by calling (800) 624-3348.  Those with power by Mississippi Power can call (800) 487-3275 to report power outages.

FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) located at K-Mart on Hwy. 90 will be closed Friday due to Hurricane Rita.  Residents can call to register for FEMA Disaster Assistance at (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or TTY: (800) 462-7585 or register on-line at www.fema.gov.  Have your Social Security Number, address and zip code, insurance information, directions to your damaged home, and daytime telephone contact available. 

The FIELD HOSPITAL at K-Mart remains open. 

HANCOCK COUNTY COURT has begun restoring and filing Deeds of Trust and Chancery Court cases at the temporary County Finance Office at the Emergency Operation Center.

For HANCOCK COUNTY business licenses or related questions contact Jimmy Ladner at the Tax Assessor’s Office at Kiln Delisle Rd. near Dolly’s.

The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office has agents in the Hancock County EOC. They will aggressively investigate and prosecute price gouging, construction fraud, identity theft and other disaster related crimes.   Call (228) 466-8266 and 8268 or (800) 281-4418.

SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS of aid has already reached families and individuals in Hancock Co.  Officials say the aid is getting here much faster than in Florida last year.

APPLICATION  FOR FEMA TEMPORARY HOUSING can be made at FEMA’s site at Skate Park (behind Daddy O’s next to Hudsons east of Fred’s).  Residents are occupying more homes at a number of sites as installation of utilities is completed.   

Providing FEMA with accurate contact information on your application will expedite home inspection. Sixty to 80 FEMA inspectors are now working here.  If your phone numbers are now different from those you put on your FEMA Right of Entry form, let FEMA know.  You may also name a third party to help inspectors enter your property. 

FEMA says keep receiptsGenerators, chain saws and so on may be reimbursable. 

DEBRIS REMOVAL continues with 242 trucks working. Residents are being asked to move debris to the road and sort it into four piles: construction and demolition materials, vegetation, household waste items, and large appliances and hazardous waste. Beware of independent contractors asking for money to clear debris. STAY WELL CLEAR OF DEBRIS TRUCKS.

CONTRACTORS WANTING TO SIGN UP AS DEBRIS HAULERS in Hancock County must contact county offices at 228-586-9160 or 1-800-244-3535. 

The Small Business Administration at K-Mart to help with home and business loans.  Business loan applicants should get the SBA forms, a FEMA case number and aid from a CPA.

Army Corps of Engineers BLUE ROOF PROGRAM - Sign up at these locations: Train Depot in BSL, Kiln Library, or the Diamondhead Club (in the Card Room) or call 228-701-0588.

FOR Oxygen Refills, call LINCARE at 228-861-3858, 228-861-1049, 228-437-1049

The Hancock County Public Health Department will assist in applying for Medicaid.  Please call (228) 831-5151.

The AMERICAN RED CROSS Shelters in Hancock County are located at the Hancock North Central Elementary and the Hancock Senior Center in Bay St Louis.

The American Red Cross Financial Assistance Center at Bay St. Louis will be closed Friday, September 23, until further notice due to Hurricane Rita. 

PEARLINGTON SHELTER and Distribution Facility at Charles B Murphy Elementary is closed until further notice.

GULF COAST HOME CARE is open to serve former and new patients.  800-489-1307

TRANSPORTATION is available by bus to the K-Mart lot. The EOC Transportation Desk will schedule buses for your group. Call the Transportation Desk at 228-466-8212. 

PHONE BANKS are available for FREE use at the following locations:

Winn Dixie (Dunbar & Esplanade)     Dolly’s (603 x Kiln Delisle Rd)            Kiln Library

Diamondhead (Chevron)                    K-Mart (near Red Cross Tent)

Waveland (342 Hwy 90, Tire Town)   297 Hwy 90 near Subway

WIRELESS INTERNET hubs are available at no cost at the Kiln Library, the Hancock County Tax Collector’s office on Kiln Rd near Dolly’s, and the Hancock County Hospital.

VOLUNTEERS ARE STILL NEEDED to assist with Hancock County’s recovery effort.   Please register and receive assignments at the Volunteer Registration Center at the Kiln Library on Hwy 603.  The phone there is 321-837-6443.  The center will be closed Friday.

THE FOLLOWING restrictions are apply all over Hancock County:  Curfew is in effect from 8 p.m. through 6 a.m. south of I-10 and from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. north of I-10.  FIRE DANGER has been very high at times.  A COMPLETE BURN BAN is in effect.  Natural gas is off countywide.  To report gas leaks, fires or life-threatening crises, please call 911.

The BOIL WATER order has been lifted for those who get their water from Standard Dedeaux Water, Diamondhead and Kiln Water District.

VESSEL SALVAGE PLANNING & QUERIES: Call the Coast Guard at 251-441-5368 or 5354.

If you suspect a HAZARDOUS MATERIALS threat, please notify the EOC at 228-466-8214.

The veterinary and pet recovery center has left its site in Waveland (behind the Civic Center on Longfellow), at least temporarily.  All the animals have been taken to Hattiesburg. 

HOT MEALS (*Also a prescription center)

K-Mart parking lot*                              Winn Dixie parking lot       Necaise (Hwy 603 & 53)

2nd Street Elementary                         Bay St Louis Fire Dept.

Hancock North Central Elementary    Fred’s (Across from Waveland Police Dept)

POINTS OF DISTRIBUTION (“PODS”):  for food, water and ice

Diamondhead                                     Sav-a-Center 

Bayou Talla Church                American Legion Post 58                   Gulfview Elementary

Public Distribution Points (food water, ice, contributed clothing and household items)

K-Mart                                     Dedeaux School                                 Fred’s                                     

Bay St Louis High School       Lee’s Chapel Baptist Church              2nd Street Elementary

TOWED VEHICLES are at Mike Renicaro’s, Charles Renicaro’s, Moss Towing, Darryl Lacoste Towing, All Star Towing, Hwy. Patrol Lots and the Hancock Equine Center on Kiln Delisle Rd.

SAFETY HAZARDS:  STOP at all intersections without working traffic lights.  Watch for people stopping suddenly in front of you at intersections.  Rita may cause more traffic lights to stop working.  RITA BRINGS NEW SAFETY CONCERNS!  Mud and water make roads and walkways slick.  Look out for owned power lines and broken limbs hung in trees – when those limbs fall, they can kill.  Such hazards are called “widow-makers.”