Counties Added For Tennessee Disaster Aid
Release Date: May 23, 2003
Release Number: 1464-34
» More Information on Tennessee Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding
Nashville, TN -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) expanded the Tennessee disaster declaration Friday, making individuals and local governments and certain non-profit agencies in 23 counties eligible for financial and other assistance in recovering from losses caused by May's violent weather.
The new counties make 65 of Tennessee's 95 counties declared disaster areas as a result of the tornadoes, floods and severe storms that began May 4. This is the third expansion of the declaration based on continuing damage assessments by federal and state disaster officials.
The counties designated eligible for individual assistance are Benton, Humphreys, Decatur, Giles, Lewis, Lawrence, Hickman, Perry, Tipton, Fayette, Shelby, Trousdale, Macon and Smith. Added for restoration of damaged infrastructure and reimbursement of disaster spending are Cocke, Grundy, Hardeman, Hardin, Hickman, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Monroe, Sequatchie and Warren.
Residents of counties declared for individual assistance who suffered storm losses should register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. seven days a week (closed Memorial Day). The TDD number for those with speech or hearing impairment is 1-800-462-7585.
Individual assistance includes temporary housing and home repair, disaster unemployment assistance, grants for essential needs not met by other programs and U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans to repair or replace damaged property. Callers are advised to have the following information available to register.
- Current phone number.
- Address at the time of the disaster and current address.
- Social Security number.
- A general list of damages and losses.
- Good directions to the damaged property.
- If insured, the insurance policy number, or the agent and company name.
- General financial information.
When disaster strikes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers a number of disaster assistance programs and coordinates the efforts of many other federal agencies that provide services to help people through the recovery process. The types of assistance that are available follow.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs
INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS PROGRAM: Housing assistance to individuals and families whose permanent homes were damaged or destroyed by the storm. Types of aid include grants for temporary housing and housing repairs to make a residence habitable.
OTHER NEEDS ASSISTANCE: Grants to individuals and families to meet serious disaster-related needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance or other federal, state or voluntary agency assistance programs.
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE: Weekly benefits to individuals out of work due to the disaster, including self-employed persons, farm owners and others not usually covered under regular unemployment insurance.
U.S. Small Business Administration Programs
HOME/PERSONAL PROPERTY DISASTER LOANS: Low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and renters for restoring or replacing underinsured or uninsured disaster-damaged real and personal property. (Available in declared counties.)
BUSINESS DISASTER LOANS: Disaster loans to repair or replace destroyed or damaged business facilities, inventory, machinery, equipment, etc. not covered by insurance. (Available to large and small businesses in declared counties.) Loans also may be available to small businesses for working capital to assist them during the disaster recovery period. (Available in declared and contiguous counties.)
Last Modified: Tuesday, 27-May-2003 11:33:02