Flash Report #20 Hurricane Helene

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• The Tennessee Department of Human Services has announced Disaster Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits to qualifying households. Preregistration begins today, October 14, and will remain open until Friday, October 17.
• FEMA has established a Disaster Recovery Center in Unicoi County.
• Flash Reports will be sent weekly unless noteworthy information needs to be published.
• Water and wastewater infrastructure remain impacted across the affected area and multiple boil water advisories remain in effect.
• Requests from state and local partners are being fulfilled through the State Emergency Operations Center.
• Emergency Services Coordinators (ESCs) from TDOT, TDCI, TDH, THP, TN Department of Human Services, TN Department of Military, and more are monitoring and responding to the situation to provide assistance to local jurisdictions.
• There are 17 confirmed fatalities as of this report. (No change)
• There is one active lead in Greene County that TBI is coordinating with local law enforcement. (No change)

CURRENT SITUATION

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) continues to collaborate with our local, state, and federal partners as we respond and assist with recovery efforts following the floods that devastated many counties in Northeast Tennessee.

Survivors can find a multitude of services and resources, such as Multi-Agency Resource Center locations and services, the Northeast Tennessee Disaster Relief Center, and more information about applying for federal assistance on TEMA's dedicated Helene webpage.

MULTI-AGENCY RESOURCE CENTERS AND DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS

Three Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARC) have been established for individuals affected by Hurricane Helene. Each MARC will be staffed with personnel from FEMA and other federal, state, and regional partners to ensure residents have access to all available resources following the flooding event. Eligible individuals in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance (IA) at a MARC location, if preferred.

MARC Locations:

Elizabethton

1749 HWY 19 E Elizabethton, TN 37643

Jonesborough

306 Forest Dr. Jonesborough, TN 3765

Newport

466 Learning Road Newport, TN 37821*

* Depending on the navigation service you are using, the address may show up as 466 Learning Way.

The MARCs will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday - Saturday. On Sunday, MARCs will be open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

Additionally, FEMA has established a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Unicoi County. Like MARCs, DRCs will have FEMA, U.S. Small Business Administration, and other representation to assist survivors in their recovery. Additional DRCs will be opening soon.

DRC Locations:

National Guard Armory/Unicoi Emergency Operations Center

615 South Main Ave.Erwin, TN 37650

The DRC will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Saturday. On Sunday the DRC will be open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Those eligible for FEMA's IA program can also apply for direct assistance online anytime or by phone at 1-800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. Individuals may receive help with rental assistance, home repair, and personal property replacement, in addition to other uninsured or underinsured disaster losses. More information on FEMA's IA program can be found here.

TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

• TDHS has announced that Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits is available to qualifying households who lived or worked in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties.
• Residents can preregister for D-SNAP benefits from Monday, October 14, 2024, until 4:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 17, 2024, via the One DHS Customer Portal.
• Applications from households who resided or worked in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties at the time of the disaster will be accepted beginning at 8:00 a.m. ET on Monday, October 21, 2024, through 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday, October 25, 2024.
• Recipients of Tennessee's regular SNAP program are not eligible to receive D-SNAP. D-SNAP applicants must meet income limits and will receive benefits determined by USDA Food and Nutrition Services guidance. Households who meet the qualifications for disaster assistance may apply online at the D-SNAP application page or by visiting a TDHS County Office or Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Multi-Agency Resource Center (TEMA MARC) location.

WATER AND WASTEWATER UTILITIES

Several wastewater treatment plants have been impacted or are reporting problems due to flooding impacts.

As of Oct. 14, 17 drinking water facilities have reported operational issues. Of those, 10 facilities have issued boil water advisories. If you have lost water or have a loss of water pressure, check with your water system for more information and recommended actions.

TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

As of Monday, October 14, there is one active lead in Greene County that TBI is coordinating with local law enforcement. (No change)

TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed 17 weather-related fatalities. (No change)

o Two in Cocke County

o One in Greene County

o One in Knox County

o One in Johnson County

o Eight in Unicoi County

o Four in Washington County

PROTECTIVE ACTIONS/KEY MESSAGES

• If you are suffering a mental health crisis, call or text 988.
• Do not enter damaged buildings or hazardous locations.
• If you are cleaning up after Helene, please take precautionary measures to stay safe:

o Wear long pants, gloves, and boots.

o Don't try to remove heavy debris by yourself.

o Use face coverings if cleaning mold.

o Do not touch electrical equipment if it's wet.

o Contact local officials if there are down or cut power lines and stay clear of the area.

• Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance: onlineanytime or by phone at 1-800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. ET.
• Individuals may be eligible for FEMA's Serious Needs Assistance, an upfront, flexible payment of $750 to help cover essential items while survivors are assessed for Individual Assistance eligibility. For more information about Serious Needs Assistance, visit FEMA's website.
• The Crisis Clean-Up Hotline (844) 965-1386 has been established for survivors who need assistance with clean-up efforts. This service is at no cost to the survivors who are requesting assistance. The hotline will be available until Oct. 25.
• The Disaster Hotline, (423) 830-2696, has been established to serve as a unified regional hotline.
• The Tennessee Attorney General's Division of Consumer Affairs reminds Tennesseans to be cautious and wary of disaster relief scams. You can find helpful tips on their website.
• Hire only licensed contractors and do not pay the total amount before the work is complete. More tips for consumers can be found here.
• Restoring your ability to communicate is a critical priority. Always call 811 before you dig.
• If your house or property sustained damage, take pictures before cleanup efforts and contact your insurance company. TDCI's Complaint Line for insurance: (615) 741-2218 or 1-800-342-4029.
• Do not self-deploy to assist impacted areas. Wait for local officials to issue guidance.
• Do not attempt to cross flooded roads or walkways. Turn around, don't drown.
• Contact your local emergency management agency if you need immediate assistance.

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