MISSISSIPPI — Mississippi has launched a statewide grant lottery to help homeowners build storm shelters and safe rooms, but rural residents say the program may be out of reach for those who need it most.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency says the initiative — funded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program — offers up to $3,500 to cover 75% of the cost of constructing a FEMA-approved safe room. There are thirty-eight available grants per county. The goal is to improve statewide storm preparedness and reduce weather-related deaths.

“We've never before been able to offer this for all 82 counties in our state,” said Scott Simmons, MEMA’s director of external affairs and chief communications officer. “We're trying to spread it from the south to the north, to the

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