FEMA Assisting Tennessee Communities Recover rrom Tornadoes

By admin - Posted on February 11th, 2008

February 8, 2008, ATLANTA, Ga. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says people in Tennessee who were affected by this week's severe weather can now get federal help.

President Bush approved a major disaster declaration for five Tennessee counties: Macon, Madison, Hardin, Shelby and Sumner counties.

"The State of Tennessee has a great response system, and that has been demonstrated in its response to these tornadoes," said Gracia Szczech, the official designated to coordinate FEMA's relief effort. "We've been able to respond quickly because of the outstanding efforts of Tennessee's emergency management officials."

People in those five counties who had losses can apply for assistance by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or TTY (800) 462-7585 for the hearing- and speech-impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST seven days a week.

The assistance can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may also be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

A Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (MDRC) opened today in Macon County where applicants are obtaining information about disaster recovery, receiving answers to questions and being referred to agencies that may provide further assistance. Additional MDRCs are being sent throughout the state.

The location of the MDRC currently operating is:

MDRC # 1
National Guard Armory - 1200 Russell Dr., Lafayette, Tenn.
Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until further notice

Szczech said damage surveys are continuing in other areas. More counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after those assessments are fully completed.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Source: FEMA

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