TEMA - Tennessee Emergency Management Agency

10/09/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/09/2024 18:46

Flash Report #16 Hurricane Helene

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • 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. This assistance is in addition to the Individual Assistance available for survivors in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties.
  • 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.
  • 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 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.

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

  • 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. 9, 18 drinking water facilities have reported operational issues. Of those, 14 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

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.

  • Cocke County: 1
  • Greene County: 5

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 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

  • 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 17 weather-related fatalities.
    • Two in Cocke County
    • One in Greene County
    • One in Knox County
    • One in Johnson County
    • Eight in Unicoi County
    • Four in Washington County
  • Local Health Departments are offering free vaccinations for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. For more information, including locations, read the TN Department of Health's full release.
  • 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 or damaged due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene. Learn more about the EPAP program here.

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:

  • Document retrieval of a veterans destroyed or lost service record, DD214, DD215, NG22.
  • Notify Veterans Administration (VA) of change of address of relocated veteran or report of death and or family member receiving VA benefits.
  • Status, employment, education, business and mental health resources.
  • Veterans Home Loan Guaranty Eligibility Application: VA home loan guaranties are issues to help eligible service members, veterans, Reservists, National Guard members, and certain surviving spouses.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.