Claims filed from damages caused by Winter Storm Fern have tallied over $107 million in losses, the Mississippi Insurance Department said Thursday.

“I expect that number to continue to climb as reporting continues,” Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney said in a press release.

That total comes from over 12,000 claims filed in the state after the late January storm. More than 10,000 of those are for residential property, and 55% of the filed claims have been closed, amounting to over $60 million in payments, the department said.

At its peak, the number of power outages in the state totaled over 180,000. The actual count, though, is likely much higher as it didn’t include outages from city-run utilities such as in Holly Springs, according to Chris Brown, the Northern District public service commissioner. At least 30 people have died in connection with the storm, state emergency officials said.

In terms of overall damages to the state, which would include impacts to roads and government buildings, the number is likely at least $400 million, state senators estimated earlier this month.

On Feb. 18, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency announced that 18 counties were eligible for federal grants to support debris removal and repair public facilities. The state is still waiting to hear if it will be eligible for federal individual assistance, which would assist affected residents with direct payments.

A bill that would create a disaster recovery loan program passed in the Senate and is being discussed in the House State Affairs and Appropriations committees. Another proposal, which would lend money from the state to utilities affected by the storm, passed the House on Wednesday. Lawmakers are also reviewing a bill that would send $20 million to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency to support its disaster response.

The insurance department said anyone needing assistance with filing a claim can call its consumer services division at 1-800-562-2957 or 601-359-2453, or email consumer@mid.ms.gov. The department also offered the following advice around filing claims:

• Prepare to file an insurance claim by gathering all relevant policy numbers.
• File your claim as soon as possible. Your policy may require that you make the notification within a
  certain time period.
• Be aware that if a widespread disaster has occurred, the company may set up special procedures.
• Be sure you cooperate fully with the insurance company. Ask what documents, forms and data you will
  need to file a claim. Keep a record of all conversations with insurance companies, creditors or relief
  agencies.
• If your home is damaged to the extent you can’t live there, ask your insurance company if you have
  coverage for additional living expenses.
• Take photographs/video of the damage. Inventory your home for damaged or lost items before your
  adjustor arrives. This will speed up your claim process.
• Make the repairs necessary to prevent further damage to your property (cover broken windows, leaking
  roofs and damaged walls).
• Don’t have permanent repairs made until your insurance company has inspected the property and you
  have reached an agreement on the cost of repairs. Be prepared to provide the claims adjuster with
  records of any improvements you made before the damage.
• Maintain any damaged personal property for the adjuster to inspect.
• Ask the adjuster for an itemized explanation of the claim settlement offer.
• Be patient and assist claims adjusters assigned to your case. Small losses may be settled quickly;
  extensive claims will take longer.
• Save all receipts, including those from the temporary repairs covered by your insurance policy.