Pearl, MS— The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is launching the Local Government Disaster Recovery Emergency Loan Program to assist eligible local governments impacted by Winter Storm Fern.
The program will be administered by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and will provide financial assistance to local governments impacted by the storm that struck the state January 23–27, 2026.
The program has a $125 million loan pool that cities and counties can access to fund recovery efforts while awaiting reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This funding mechanism ensures that critical recovery work can begin immediately without placing additional strain on local budgets.
Loan recipients must establish a dedicated revenue source for repayment if FEMA declines to reimburse expenses. If reimbursement is approved, the loan must be repaid immediately. A fixed interest rate of 3% per annum will only apply if FEMA does not reimburse the expenses and a loan remains outstanding.
The Loan Program will launch on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The program remains open for issuing loans until July 2027.
For more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit the MEMA website at 2026 Local Government Disaster Recovery Emergency Loan Program Winter Storm Fern | Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.