10/09/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/09/2024 18:46
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
CURRENT SITUATION
Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced three more counties have been approved for FEMA's Public Assistance program. The program is now available to eligible jurisdictions and certain private, non-profit organizations in a total of 12 counties following significant flooding from Hurricane Helene that impacted Northeast Tennessee on September 26.
The three additional counties named in the amendment of the Major Disaster Declaration to receive Public Assistance, including direct federal assistance, are Claiborne, Grainger, and Sullivan counties.
Jefferson County, who has already been designated for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Category A and B), including direct federal assistance, has been approved to receive permanent work assistance (Categories C-G). Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties have also received permanent work assistance (Categories C-G). This is in addition to the Individual Assistance and Categories A and B Public Assistance, including direct federal assistance, these counties have already been designated to receive. For more information about the different Public Assistance categories and what they mean, visit TEMA's webpage.
To date, FEMA has validated 4,982 registrations and has approved more than $5.1 million in Individual and Household Program funding.
Additional resources, including information about the Multi-Agency Resource Center locations, Disaster Hotline (423) 830-2696, and the Northeast Tennessee Disaster Relief Center can be found on TEMA's dedicated Helene webpage.
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. 9, 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. TEMA recommends residents continue to tune into information provided by their local officials to remain safe.
MULTI-AGENCY RESOURCE CENTERS
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 3765
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. 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.
WATER AND WASTEWATER UTILITIES
TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION
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 Tuesday, Oct. 9, there are 6 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.
SHELTERING LOCATIONS
TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY
Driver Services Division is issuing duplicate identification licenses and driver licenses at the Elizabethton Drivers Services Center, Newport Grammar School, and Unicoi Police Department. All three locations are open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. Additionally, Driver Services is also at the two MARC locations in Elizabethton and Jonesborough.
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
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
TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Revenue announced four tax relief measures for Tennessee businesses and individuals affected by Hurricane Helene. For more information about the tax relief efforts, read Gov. Lee's full release.
TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICES
Tennessee Department of Veterans Services is established in both MARC locations with a Veteran Service Officer (VSO). VSOs will be available in the MARC locations from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Services that can be provided:
TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROTECTIVE ACTIONS/KEY MESSAGES