Bradley, Greene, Hamilton and Washington will receive federal assistance
Nashville, TN – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam joined FEMA Director Craig Fugate today to announce the federal government has approved four Tennessee counties to receive federal assistance as a result of the severe storms, flash flooding and tornadoes that struck the state beginning on April 25th and continuing to April 28th, 2011.
Residents who sustained losses in these counties can begin applying for assistance immediately through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
“I appreciate our local and state leaders for the tremendous effort they are making in all of the impacted communities, and I want to thank President Obama and Director Fugate for their swift action in responding to Tennessee’s request for assistance,” Haslam said. “Hopefully this aid will help Tennesseans impacted by these storms put their lives back together as quickly as possible.”
Bradley, Greene, Hamilton and Washington counties have been approved in both the individual and public assistance categories.
An emergency declaration designation for public assistance means local governments in impacted counties are only currently eligible to apply for federal assistance for debris removal and emergency protective. Other categories of the public assistance program may be added later.
Additional counties may be added to the federal declaration as damage assessments of those counties affected by the April 25th storms are completed by local officials with TEMA and FEMA.
As a result of the severe weather, Tennessee suffered 36 fatalities and more than 500 homes were destroyed or sustained major damage. At the height of the emergency, up to 18 shelters provided essential needs for 233 people.
For more updates regarding the state’s response, visit the TEMA website at www.tnema.org.
