County News
Lafayette County Emergency Management Agency
Disaster Recovery Center Now Open in Lafayette County
Assistance is available for residents who experienced damage from the January 23–27 winter ice storm. In-person FEMA and SBA specialists are here to help you begin your recovery.
Federal Disaster Declaration DR-4899-MS | Winter Storm Fern
Lafayette County DRC Location
Open Starting April 27
Lafayette County Multipurpose Arena
70 F.D. Buddy East Parkway
Oxford, MS 38655
Hours of Operation
| Monday, April 27 — Opening Day12:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Monday – Friday8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Saturday8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | SundayClosed |
The DRC will remain open for an extended period depending on community need and foot traffic.
Who Will Be at the DRC
Multiple federal, state, and volunteer agencies will be on-site to assist you with every aspect of your recovery:
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FEMA Register for federal disaster assistance, check your application status, and get help appealing decisions. |
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Low-interest disaster loans available to homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes for repair and recovery costs. |
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MEMA Mississippi Emergency Management Agency representatives providing state-level recovery guidance and referrals. |
Voluntary & Community Organizations Volunteer agencies and community partners may be present to provide additional recovery resources and referrals. |
What You Can Receive at the DRC
| ✅ In-person FEMA registration assistance | 🏦 SBA disaster loan application help | 📋 Disaster assistance information |
| 🔗 Referrals to local recovery resources | 📊 Application status checks & appeals help | ♿ Accommodations for access & functional needs |
What to Bring With You
Bringing the right documents helps specialists process your case as quickly as possible. Gather as many of the following as you can — do not let missing documents stop you from visiting.
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🪪 Photo ID Driver’s license, state ID, or passport |
🔢 Social Security number For all household members applying |
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🏠 Proof of occupancy Lease, utility bill, or mortgage statement |
📄 Insurance documents Policy info and any denial or settlement letters |
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📸 Photos of damage Phone photos are accepted and encouraged |
🏦 Bank account information For direct deposit of any approved assistance |
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📞 Contact information Current phone number and mailing address |
📝 List of damages & losses Itemized list of damaged property if available |
What to Expect When You Arrive
| 🚶 | No appointment needed. Walk in during business hours. Specialists will greet you and direct you to the right assistance area. |
| ⏱️ | Plan for 1–2 hours. Wait times vary. Arriving early in the day or mid-week typically means shorter waits. |
| 🗣️ | Language assistance is available. Translation and interpretation services are provided at no cost. Inform staff of your language needs upon arrival. |
| ♿ | Accessible facility. The Lafayette County Multipurpose Arena is ADA accessible. If you have access or functional needs, inform staff upon arrival. |
| 👨👩👧 | Bring your household. All affected household members should be present or accounted for. One registration per household address. |
Apply Without Visiting in Person
You do not need to visit the DRC to apply for FEMA assistance. Three convenient options are available:
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🌐
Online
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📞
By Phone
1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
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📱
Mobile App
FEMA App — iOS & Android
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Relay service users (VRS, captioned telephone, or others): provide FEMA with the number for your relay service when calling.
Lafayette County Emergency Management Agency
For local emergency updates, follow LCEMA on Facebook and visit lafayettems.com
Posted: April 26, 2026
Source: MEMA / FEMA DR-4899-MS