First Week of Recovery

FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE TO TENNESSEE TOPS $28 MILLION IN FIRST WEEK

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen and the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today more than $28 million in disaster assistance has been approved to help with recovery efforts just one week after a federal major disaster declaration was requested for severe storms and flooding that struck Tennessee.

“We’re very pleased with the pace of recovery operations, but we aren’t letting up,” said Bredesen. “State agencies and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency will continue working hand-in-hand with FEMA and local partners to make sure those affected by the flooding have access to the resources they need to help rebuild their lives.”

Individuals can register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for those with speech and hearing disabilities. The toll-free numbers are staffed seven days a week, 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. CDT until further notice. Help in all languages is available.

“We strongly encourage Tennesseans to register for assistance as soon as possible,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gracia Szczech. “Registration only takes about 30 minutes and once we hear from people, we can help them receive the assistance they may need.”

To date, 42 counties have been designated for assistance in Tennessee, including Benton, Carroll, Clay, Crockett, Cheatham, Chester, Davidson, Decatur, DeKalb, Dickson, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lewis, Macon, Madison, Maury, McNairy, Montgomery, Obion, Perry, Robertson, Rutherford, Shelby, Smith, Stewart, Sumner, Tipton, Trousdale, Wayne, Williamson and Wilson.

Recovery Assistance by the Numbers
• More than $28 million has been approved to help disaster-affected Tennesseans with temporary housing, home repairs and other needs through FEMA and state disaster grants programs.
• Nearly 18,000 people in the 42 designated counties have registered with FEMA for Individual Assistance.
• More than 4,400 inspections have been completed and 14,000 inspections are scheduled.

Disaster Recovery Centers
Two Disaster Recovery Centers are now open in west and middle Tennessee. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT seven days a week until further notice.
• Hickman County - Centerville Church of Christ - 138 N. Central Ave., Centerville, TN 37033
• Davidson County - 100 Oaks Mall (near the Hollywood 27 Theatre) - 719 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37204

Additional Disaster Recovery Centers will be opening soon.