Tennessee files for FEMA disaster relief
Gov. Bill Lee officially filed the state’s request Friday to President Donald Trump for federal funds totaling $151.3 million in damage to local and state infrastructure, roads and refunds for emergency services from the February floods.
In all, 58 of the 83 counties in West, Middle and East Tennessee surveyed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency were over their per capita damage threshold for public damage.
Only five counties qualified for FEMA’S individual assistance program. Those counties include Decatur, Hardin, Humphreys, Perry and Sevier. Like, the public assistance program, the governor requested the funding. It has to be approved.
“The severe flooding has left many Tennessee jurisdictions unsure about how to fund the unexpected need to repair infrastructure and pay for their emergency measures,” Lee said in a news release. “I believe we have demonstrated the need for federal assistance is necessary and if granted, will lessen some of the financial burden on local resources for flood response and recovery.”
TEMA spokesman Dean Flener said Friday the request doesn’t guarantee the state will receive federal assistance, but it is the next step in the process. He said the state should know in the next two weeks whether it is declared federal disaster zone by the president and whether federal dollars will be coming.
FEMA’S public assistance program reimburses local and state governments, utilities and certain private, nonprofit organizations for emergency protective measures and debris removal, according to a news release. It also reimburses for repairs to roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment as the result of a federally-declared disaster, the release indicated.
Earlier this month in Knoxville, Lee said the state would surpass the FEMA damage threshold for the state.
“I’ve actually reached out to those in Washington to let them know where we are in the process and to prepare for that,” he said.
The floods totaled an estimated $43.5 million in damage in Knox County . Much of that — $32.4 million of it — was done to business and residential property based on appraised property values, and the other $11 million is public sector damage.
Damage, deaths across the state
The state estimated damage totaling $68.3 million from local and state agencies and utility infrastructure impacts and emergency expenditures due to the flooding and severe storms.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation estimates another $83 million-plus in damages, according to the release. TDOT has already initiated 32 emergency contracts in the amount of $56 million.
This week, TDOT received $10 million in emergency relief funds from the Federal Highway Administration to help speed up repairs to state highways.
Across the state, four people died from the heavy rain and subsequent flooding in February.
Two of the flood-related deaths — Christopher J. Doody, 59, who drove past warning signs into the water that covered South Peters Road in Knoxville, and a 53-year-old woman in Cheatham County swept away by floodwaters — resulted from drowning.
In Clay County, a 21-year-old woman died when a tree fell on her. In Hawkins County, Steven Lawson, 62, of Jonesborough, died when a mudslide swept his pickup truck off the road.
Need help?
Flener said affected homeowners and business owners are still in a holding pattern with federal funds. He said the best option for those still needing help would be contacting local emergency management offices and asking what organizations are still helping.
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners also have tips to help people familiarize themselves with flood insurance.
According to the FEMA, flooding is the most common and expensive type of natural disaster in the nation.
A 2016 FEMA report on active flood policy information showed many people across the state are not covered by flood insurance.
A full list of the 58 counties seeking FEMA public assistance relief
Anderson, Bedford, Bledsoe, Blount, Campbell, Carter, Cheatham, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Coffee, Decatur, Dekalb, Dickson, Dyer, Fentress, Gibson, Giles, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Hawkins, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Lake, Lauderdale, Lewis, Lincoln, Marion, Marshall, Mcnairy, Moore, Morgan, Obion, Overton, Perry, Rhea, Roane, Robertson, Scott, Sequatchie, Sevier, Smith, Tipton, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Wayne and Weakley.