Mississippi Power Company has donated $15,000 to the American Red Cross to help with disaster relief for people affected in southeast Mississippi by tropical storms Isidore and Lili.

“Although neither storm was as destructive as what we’ve experienced in the past, the damage and disruption for people in our area was still significant and has placed a strain on our resources,” said John McFarland, Chairman of the South Mississippi Chapter of the Red Cross. “Our preliminary estimate is that total Red Cross expenses in South Mississippi as a result of both storms will exceed $300,000.”

After Isidore blew across the Coast, eight Mississippi counties were declared federal disaster areas: Amite, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Lincoln, Pearl River, Pike and Stone. No new areas were added following Lili because that storm’s path affected mainly the same areas as the earlier storm.

Following the storms, the Red Cross has provided shelter, services and relief to numerous local residents. Red Cross outreach teams are still visiting displaced families to determine what additional assistance is needed.

“Our employees have wide ranging experience with storm damage, and when they are out in the field they know that sooner or later they will see someone from the Red Cross helping people in need,” said Rex Kelly, Mississippi Power’s Director of Corporate Communications.

“We know the importance of maintaining and restoring service during disasters, so we sincerely appreciate the efforts of the Red Cross to meet the challenges it faces,” Kelly said. “Even with smaller storms we have seen first hand that the need for assistance can be great. We trust that this contribution will help extend the relief that the Red Cross is providing in south Mississippi.”

“This donation comes at an ideal time,” said McFarland. “Our Mississippi Gulf Coast Chapter has been asked to raise up to 10 percent of our expenses to help reimburse the National Disaster Fund. By making this contribution now, Mississippi Power is providing a big step toward that end.”

“We are aware of the direct good that results from giving additional financial support to the Red Cross,” said Kelly. “We are equally interested in having this donation raise people’s awareness of the good the Red Cross does and the costs they incur.”

Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, serves more than 192,000 customers in 23 Southeast Mississippi counties. This special disaster relief donation is in addition to its annual contribution to the Red Cross Emergency Energy Assistance program for senior citizens and low income individuals. It is also separate from Project Share, a program the company launched earlier this year to collect customer donations that help other customers in need pay their electricity bills.

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