President Donald J. Trump Approves Tennessee Disaster Declaration

Washington, D.C. – On Friday, April 24th, 2020, U.S. President Donald J. Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Tennessee and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding from April 12th to April 13th, 2020.

The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Bradley County and Hamilton County.

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U.S. President Donald J. Trump Approves Tennessee Disaster Declaration

Washington, D.C. – Today, Friday, December 6th, 2019, U.S. President Donald J. Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Tennessee and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe storm and straight-line winds on October 26th, 2019.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storm and straight-line winds in Benton County, Decatur County, Hardin County, Henderson County, Houston County, Humphreys County, McNairy County, Montgomery County, Perry County, and Wayne County.

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AAA says Severe Storms pose Serious Crash Risk

Knoxville, TN – Spring storms can create dangerous driving conditions.  AAA – The Auto Club Group is advising motorists to exercise extreme caution while driving during weather events and, if possible, to delay travel until the storm passes. 

Trucks, vans, SUVs and trailers are more vulnerable to high wind gusts and could potentially be pushed around or flipped by high winds. If winds are severe, safely pull over onto the shoulder of the road and stop.

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SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Tennessee Residents Affected by Severe Storms and Flooding

Washington, D.C. – Tennessee residents and businesses affected by severe storms and flooding on April 26th-28th, can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA Administrator Karen G. Mills announced.

Administrator Mills made the loans available in response to a letter from Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam on May 8th, requesting a disaster declaration by the SBA. The declaration covers Stewart County and the adjacent counties of Benton, Henry, Houston, and Montgomery in Tennessee; Calloway, Christian and Trigg in Kentucky. [Read more]

August 9th is the Deadline for Tennesseans to Register with FEMA

Nashville, TN – Tennesseans who suffered losses due to severe spring weather have about six weeks remaining to apply for assistance. August 9th is the last day the Federal Emergency Management Agency will accept applications for individual assistance.

State and federal officials continue to encourage anyone with damage or other losses in the disaster-designated counties to register. “You may think you don’t need assistance, but you could later have disaster related losses,” said TEMA Director James H. Bassham “Registration with FEMA is free. It’s better to get your name in the system before the August 9th deadline. After that date, it will be too late.” [Read more]

Four Tennessee Counties approved for Disaster Assistance

Bradley, Greene, Hamilton and Washington will receive federal assistance

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam joined FEMA Director Craig Fugate today to announce the federal government has approved four Tennessee counties to receive federal assistance as a result of the severe storms, flash flooding and tornadoes that struck the state beginning on April 25th and continuing to April 28th, 2011.

Residents who sustained losses in these counties can begin applying for assistance immediately through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). [Read more]

Food Safety a priority in Storm Aftermath

“When in doubt, throw it out,” says Tennessee public health official

Nashville, TN – Due to power outages experienced in storm and flood-impacted areas across the state, the Tennessee Department of Health is reminding affected residents of the importance of food safety.

To ensure public health and wellness, a senior department official is urging individuals to throw away all perishable food that may have been exposed to temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours or more. [Read more]

Haslan requests Presidential Disaster Declaration

Initial counties to include Bradley, Greene, Hamilton and Washington
More counties to be added as damage assessments are completed

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has asked President Barack Obama to declare four Tennessee Counties as federal disaster areas following the severe storms, flash flooding and tornadoes that struck the state beginning on April 25th, 2011.

Should this initial request for assistance be granted Bradley, Greene, Hamilton and Washington counties would have access to varying levels of federal assistance programs.

As local officials and responding agencies complete damage assessments, other counties are expected be added to the April 25th declaration request. [Read more]