Mississippi's State Medical Needs Shelter is a specially-designed facility to protect Mississippians with medical support needs during an emergency or disaster.
This facility is a shelter of last resort for those people whose medical needs cannot be accommodated in a general population shelter.
Location
The State Medical Needs Shelter is located at 1640 Coy Avenue, Wiggins, MS.
Whom the Shelter Serves
This shelter is for:
- Those with health or medical conditions who require professional observation or care;
- Those with chronic conditions who require assistance with daily living activities or skilled nursing care, but do not require hospitalization;
- Those who need supervised medication dispensing or vital signs readings;
- Those with physical, mental, or cognitive disabilities who cannot be sheltered in a general population shelter; or
- Those with other disabilities who cannot be sheltered in a general population shelter.
Note: Only one caregiver may accompany the resident inside the shelter. All residents should bring any prescribed medication or equipment needed for care if possible.
About the Shelter
The State Medical Needs Shelter is designed to withstand winds up to 200 miles per hour. It also contains a negative-pressure infectious disease isolation room.
The shelter is self-sustaining for 36 hours with a backup power source and sewer and water connections. It contains telehealth capabilities for communications with the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
Property for the shelter was generously provided by Stone County officials. Funding was provided by federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds and made possible through partnerships with FEMA, MEMA, and other state and local partners.