Flash Report #14 Hurricane Helene

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Two Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARC) have been established to assist survivors with FEMA Individual Assistance (IA) registration and ensure residents have access to all available resources in the recovery process. Representatives from several federal, state, and regional organizations are available to assist at the MARCs.
  • Elizabethton: 1749 Hwy 19E, Elizabethton, TN 37643
  • Jonesborough: 306 Forest Dr., Jonesborough, TN 37659
  • MARCs are open from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. ET, Monday - Saturday and 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. ET on Sunday.
• TEMA is working to identify additional locations for MARCs, as needed, to serve all impacted community members.
• Individuals in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties can apply for FEMA assistance. Survivors can apply:
  • Online anytime at www.disasterassistance.gov
  • By phone at 1-800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. ET. Multilingual operators are available.
  • With FEMA at the Multi-Agency Resource Centers.
• The Disaster Hotline, (423) 830-2696, has been established to serve as a unified regional hotline for community members, donors, and national/international organizations.
• 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.
• As you begin cleaning up debris, ensure it is separated properly. Find Debris Removal Guidelines on TEMA's website.
• Water and wastewater infrastructure remain impacted across the affected area and multiple boil water advisories remain in effect.
• Requests for assistance 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 15 confirmed fatalities as of this report.

CURRENT SITUATION

Two Multi-Agency Resource Centers have opened for individuals affected by Hurricane Helene. Each Multi-Agency Resource Center (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 19E, Elizabethton, TN 37643

Jonesborough: 306 Forest Dr., Jonesborough, TN 37659

The MARCs will be open 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. ET, Monday - Saturday. On Sunday, MARCs will be open 12 p.m. - 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 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. ET. 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.

FEMA is processing more than 4,100 total registrations and has approved more than $1.3 million in funding to survivors, including more than $996,000 in housing assistance.

The Disaster Hotline (423) 830-2696 is a unified regional hotline for community members, donors, and national/international organizations seeking information or requiring specific logistical considerations about disaster relief efforts. The hotline is available between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

The Northeast Tennessee Disaster Relief Center is open at the Bristol Motor Speedway. This center is the home base for recovery efforts and a major donation reception center in the aftermath of the devastating floods. The center is operating from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. This center does not replace the donation centers that have been established by counties. For more information, including a list of requested and prohibited items, visit TEMA's website.

TEMA continues to deploy personnel at the request of the counties and is coordinating with local officials to assess damages and ensure life safety needs are met. As of Oct. 7, TEMA Logistics has deployed more than 96,000 cases of water, provided more than 1,500 meals, per day, for first responders, and fulfilled requests for nearly 500 pieces of equipment. That is in addition to other personnel, supplies, and resource requests by affected counties. TEMA recommends residents continue to tune into information provided by their local officials to remain safe.

WATER AND WASTEWATER UTILITIES

• Several wastewater treatment plants have been impacted or are reporting problems due to flooding impacts:
  • Hamblen County, Lowland Wastewater Treatment Plant
  • Johnson County, Mountain City Wastewater Treatment Plant
  • Unicoi County, Erwin Utilities Authority
• As of Oct. 7, 19 drinking water facilities have reported operational issues. Of those, 15 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 DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) is issuing a temporary water contact advisory telling the public to avoid all contact with bodies of water affected by the extreme flooding in East Tennessee. This applies to all surface waters in the Nolichucky, French Broad, Pigeon, Doe, and Watauga River watersheds as well as any other waters affected by the flooding. Read TDEC's full release on their website.

TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation established a hotline (1-800-TBI-FIND/1-800-824-3463) to coordinate reports of missing persons in the areas affected by the recent flooding in Northeast Tennessee. Callers should be prepared to relay as much identifying information as possible, including names, phone numbers, vehicle identification, and last known whereabouts.

As of Monday, Oct. 7, there are 9 active leads that TBI is coordinating with local law enforcement response. Please note, this number does not represent the total of unaccounted individuals, just public leads that still need to be cleared.

• Cocke County: 1
• Greene County: 5
• Unicoi County: 3

SHELTERING LOCATIONS

Local jurisdictions and the American Red Cross are managing shelters in impacted areas. For the most up to date shelter locations, visit TEMA's website.

TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY

Driver Services Division is issuing duplicate identification licenses and driver licenses at the Unicoi Police Department and Newport Grammar School for survivors. All three locations are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.

The Elizabethton Driver Services Center is now offering expanded services. In addition to the free duplicate licenses for flood survivors, any Tennessean can complete a road skills and vision test, obtain a driver license, commercial driver license, REAL ID, photo ID, or update, replace, and renew their driver license.

The temporary Driver Services locations at the Unicoi Police Department and Newport Grammar School will continue to offer free duplicate licenses through Oct. 11, 2024. These locations will not provide services to the public, only flood victims.

Temporary Driver Services Locations:

Elizabethton Driver Services Center
1741 HWY 19 E Bypass Elizabethton, TN 37643

Newport Grammar School
301 College Street Newport, TN 37821

Unicoi Police Department
3600 Unicoi Drive Unicoi, TN 37692

TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL

• THP is providing assistance with traffic, welfare, searches, and other law enforcement responsibilities in response to flooding and damage in the affected counties.
• THP is delivering commodities to survivors.
• THP is collaborating with TBI to assist with reunification.
• North Carolina has closed I-40 at the state line.
• I-26 at 40 mm is closed in Unicoi County due to flooding.

TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

If your job was impacted by the flooding in East Tennessee, you can apply for state unemployment.

TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

• The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed 15 weather-related fatalities.
  • Two in Cocke County
  • One in Greene County
  • One in Knox County
  • One in Johnson County
  • Seven in Unicoi County
  • Three in Washington County
• All local county health departments are open and back to regular schedules.
• A Citizen Information Hotline is available at 423-979-4689, available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET for questions related to flood safety.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services activated the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) for Tennessee to aid uninsured residents in replacing prescription medicines or certain medical equipment lost of damaged due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene. Learn more about the EPAP program here.

TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

• TDOT is continuing to work to improve connectivity and make infrastructure repairs in Upper East Tennessee.
• There is a webpage dedicated for storm updates. TDOT will provide daily updates on progress during the critical recovery period. You can access the page here: Hurricane Helene Recovery (tn.gov).
• Before you go out, check road conditions on TDOT's SmartWay website.

PROTECTIVE ACTIONS/KEY MESSAGES

• If you are suffering a mental health crisis, call or text 988.
• Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance: online anytime or by phone at 1-800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. ET.
• 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.
• Do not enter damaged buildings or hazardous locations.
• 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.
• Report down or cut power lines and stay clear of the area.
• 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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