NASHVILLE, Tenn. (News First) — President Biden declared a major disaster in Tennessee Wednesday, ordering federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and tornadoes on December 9, 2023.
Federal funding is now available to affected individuals in the counties of Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery, and Sumner. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding is also available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance in the counties of Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery, and Sumner. Lastly, federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Yolanda Jackson of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate federal recovery operations in the affected areas, according to the news release.
Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service.
