3 More Tennessee Counties Approved for Federal Aid after Storms

The federal government authorized individual assistance for McNairy, Tipton and Wayne Counties for storms that struck Tennessee Feb. 5 and 6, according to Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen.

Individual assistance can include grants and loans to individuals or businesses to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses.

Monday’s authorization was made in a fourth amendment to the disaster declaration for the State of Tennessee requested by Bredesen on Feb. 7, and brings the total number of counties authorized to receive some form of federal assistance to 19.

Federal funding authorized by the disaster declaration falls into two main categories – individual and public assistance. With the addition of McNairy, Tipton and Wayne Counties, 17 counties have now been authorized to receive individual assistance. Counties previously approved include Benton, Fayette, Hardin, Hickman, Houston, Lewis, Macon, Madison, Montgomery, Perry, Shelby, Sumner, Trousdale and Williamson.

Sixteen counties were previously authorized for public assistance, including Benton, Fayette, Fentress, Hardin, Haywood, Hickman, Houston, Lewis, Macon, Madison, McNairy, Perry, Shelby, Sumner, Trousdale and Williamson Counties. Public assistance allows public agencies and certain non-profit agencies and utilities providing essential public service to seek reimbursement of 75 percent of eligible spending for recovery operations. Bredesen announced on Feb. 14 that the state will help local governments receiving federal public assistance meet their match obligation by providing half of those matching dollars – about $2.5 million – to help ease the burden on local governments.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the counties authorized for federal assistance should apply for assistance immediately by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling (800) 621-3362.

Source: Office of the Governor of Tennessee