Raleigh, Mississippi - The Smith County Emergency Management Agency announced today that in partnership with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, has implemented a new tool called Crisis Tract. Crisis Tract allows county residents to report any residential or business damage that they may see or experience from a storm or other disaster. This information is invaluable to first-responders and emergency management personnel as it allows for a faster response and reduces the time needed to survey damage.

This announcement comes on the evening of another severe weather outbreak across the State of Mississippi. Smith County Emergency Management Director Heather Easterling advised citizens to take the appropriate precautions, and ensuring that they have an action plan in place if severe weather warnings are issued.

You can submit information if you receive damage to your resident or business structure. Please note - This is only for damages to a structure. Driveways, fences, sheds, barns and etc are not considered structural damage. Once you submit a request, EMA will send out a damage assessment team from our office in Raleigh to assess your property. If you have any questions, please call the Smith County Emergency Management Agency at 601-782-9151.

You can access Crisis Tract at: https://www.crisistrack.com/public/smithMS/request.html

The Mississippi Association of Supervisors has announced that the County Employee Scholarship is now available for applications for the 2020 school year. The County Employee Scholarship Program will award $500 scholarships to qualifying students in each of Mississippi’s 82 counties meeting the eligibility requirements below. Counties will receive up to two $500 scholarships: one scholarship for participation in each of the MAS Insurance Trust (property and casualty insurance) and the MPE Workers Compensation Trust. Scholarships will be awarded based on applicant’s county of permanent residence. 

Applicant must meet all criteria listed below:

• Applicant must identify an eligible Sponsor. "Sponsor" may be the Applicant or Applicant's immediate family member (parent, stepparent, grandparent, step-grandparent, legal guardian or spouse) who is currently employed by or retired from Mississippi county government.  
• Dependents of elected county officials are not eligible for this Scholarship Program. 
• Be a legal resident of the State of Mississippi. 
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) and demonstrate community/civic involvement. 
• Applicant must be enrolled (or plan to enroll) in an accredited public Mississippi college, junior or community college, or university for the Fall 2020 semester.  
• If awarded a scholarship, Applicant must sign a Statement of Intent to attend an accredited public Mississippi college, junior or community college, or university for the Fall 2020 semester. Failure to sign the Statement of Intent before August 1, 2020 will result in forfeiture of scholarship.

Deadline to apply is February 1, 2020. Application packets must be received at the MAS Office no later than 4:30 p.m. on February 1, 2020. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Send completed application with all attachments to:

• Via U. S. Mail: MAS Scholarship Program, 793 N. President St., Jackson, MS 39202
• Via email to: sspangler@massup.org
• Via fax to: (601) 353-2749, Attention: Scholarship Program