Press Releases

Today, Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) joined members of Mississippi’s Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urging the agency to approve the City of Biloxi’s Second Appeal for full funding of remaining water, sewer, and storm drainage infrastructure repairs stemming from Hurricane Katrina.

The appeal seeks an additional $111 million in project funding, based on cost estimates developed by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) in accordance with FEMA’s Cost Estimating Factor formula for large, complex, multi-year projects. MEMA formally transmitted its support for Biloxi’s appeal on September 30, 2025.

“Biloxi has made remarkable progress rebuilding its critical infrastructure after one of the most devastating hurricanes in our nation’s history,” Ezell said. “But nearly 20 years later, FEMA still hasn’t fully met its obligation to the people of Biloxi. It’s past time to fix that. This appeal is about fairness, accountability, and ensuring our Gulf Coast communities get the support they were promised. Inflation and rising construction costs have only made this situation more urgent. FEMA needs to correct its mistake and fully fund these remaining repairs so Biloxi can finish the job once and for all.”

In previous correspondence, FEMA acknowledged that key cost factors, including contingencies, inflation, contractor overhead, and permitting, were inadvertently omitted from its original estimate for Biloxi’s infrastructure repair project. Without those adjustments, the City of Biloxi has faced significant funding shortfalls in completing the necessary work.

The Mississippi delegation’s letter urges FEMA to “change course” and approve the City’s Second Appeal, ensuring sufficient resources to complete the final phase of the project.

Click here to read the letter in its entirety.