Additional Multi-Agency Resource Center to Open in Cocke County

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) will open a Multi-Agency Resource Center in Cocke County on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at noon for individuals affected by Hurricane Helene. The Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC), located at the Cocke County Recreation Department, will be staffed with personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal, state, and regional partners to ensure survivors have access to all available resources needed in the recovery process.

With the addition of the Newport location on Sunday, there will be three state-run MARCs available for survivors and their loved ones to visit for assistance.

MARCs will be open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Please note, services may vary and/or offer abbreviated hours at locations.

MARC - Newport

466 Learning Road*

Newport, TN 37821

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

MARC - Elizabethton

1749 HWY 19E

Elizabethton, TN 37643

MARC - Jonesborough

306 Forest Dr.

Jonesborough, TN 37659

Individuals can speak to representatives from several agencies and departments, including: FEMA, Small Business Administration (SBA), TEMA, American Red Cross, Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD), and Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security - Driver Services. At the time of this release, the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services will only be available at the Jonesborough and Elizabethton MARC locations. The Cocke County Health Department will be staffed at the Newport MARC.

Survivors in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance (IA). Survivors can apply:

• Online anytime at www.disasterassistance.gov
• By phone at 1-800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. ET. Multilingual operators are available.
• In-person at a Multi-Agency Resource Center.

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. There are other forms of assistance that you may qualify for to receive, including help with rental assistance, home repair, and property loss replacement, in addition to other uninsured or underinsured disaster losses. More information on FEMA's IA program can be found here.

TEMA continues to deploy personnel and resources at the request of the counties and is coordinating with local officials to assess damages and ensure life safety needs are met. TEMA recommends residents continue to tune into information provided by their local officials to remain safe.

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About the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency: TEMA's mission is to coordinate preparedness, response and recovery from man-made, natural and technological hazards in a professional and efficient manner in concert with our stakeholders. Follow TEMA on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and at tn.gov/tema.

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