Video: Winston County FEMA Housing Units

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WINSTON CO., Miss. (WCBI) — FEMA is working with MEMA and the governors office to find available housing for tornado victims in Winston County. A Noxapater woman is the first of three homeowners and four renters receiving their new temporary housing unit.

On a lot where the April tornado leveled her home, FEMA housing recipient Annabelle Watkins is preparing to move into her new temporary home.

“I just want to thank everybody that’s been involved, that I’ve been involved with. Just thank them for being so wonderful,” said Annabelle Watkins/Noxapater FEMA Home Recipient.

“The homeowner might be eligible for a temporary housing unit that would be placed on their property for up to one year. A renter who is renting a home that has been destroyed might be able to also have a temporary housing unit that would be placed in a commercial mobile home park,” said Susan Solomon/FEMA PIO.

The FEMA Trailers must be located inside Winston County. A special handicapped accessible ramp and bathroom comes with a two bedroom unit to be shared with Watkins and her granddaughter. The homeowner could have stayed with relatives, now she has another option.

“You know they need their space,” said Watkins.

This gives her a sense of independence, if only for a little while.

“I’m gonna tell you what, FEMA and all the organizations that I’ve been involved with over this have been fantastic. And the main thing is they were coordinated,” said Watkins.

Almost fifteen hundred disaster victims have been seen by FEMA and MEMA at their Recovery Headquarters in Louisville. For help with the application process for those housing units call FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362).