Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced this afternoon Davidson, Wilson, and Putnam counties will receive federal aid through an expedited Major Disaster Declaration as a result of the deadly March 3, 2020, tornadoes and severe weather.
"Local, state, and federal emergency officials and responders have worked tirelessly in a coordinated manner provide help and relief to our counties and communities," Gov. Lee said. "The myriad stories of Tennesseans who experienced this tragedy have been inspiring and heartbreaking, and my hope is some healing can now begin and we can be on our way to rebuilding our lives and communities.
Through the Major Disaster Declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will provide both its Individual Assistance (IA) and Public Assistance (PA) programs in three declared counties; Davidson, Putnam, and Wilson.
Individuals in the declared counties who may be eligible for FEMA's IA program can begin the application process at www.disasterassistance.gov. FEMA also provides a Disaster Assistance Helpline, 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585, to help individuals with questions about the application process, including how to apply.
FEMA's PA program will provide reimbursement assistance to Davidson, Putnam, and Wilson county governments for costs associated with the severe weather response and cleanup.
More information on FEMA's PA program is at: https://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.
Patrick Sheehan, director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) indicates more counties and more categories of FEMA's PA reimbursement help may be added to the federal declaration.
"Joint preliminary damage assessments are ongoing with FEMA," Sheehan said, "Our goal is to work to have Benton, Carroll, and Gibson counties added to today's Major Disaster Declaration, and to expand the availability of PA reimbursement assistance to include repairs to bridges, roads, and infrastructure in all six counties requested."
The National Weather Service has confirmed two tornadoes impacted Tennessee on March 3, 2020. The first, an EF3 with 165 mph winds, tracked through Metro Nashville into Wilson County. The second, an EF4 tornado, severely impacted Putnam County.
The tornadoes and severe storms caused 24 weather-related fatalities, damaged or destroyed five public schools, left 101,521 residents without power, and closed State Government offices.
Tennessee remains in a State of Emergency and the State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville, Tenn. continues to operate in support of the ongoing disaster response.
Click for TEMA tornado and severe weather recovery information on debris removal, donations, volunteering, and other resources.
Below is the latest information released from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency:
TO DATE:
Gov. Bill Lee announced a Major Disaster Declaration for three Tennessee counties.
Visit TEMA's tornado and severe weather recovery resource page for information on help and services for those affected by the deadly tornadoes and severe weather.
Gov. Bill Lee requested an expedited Federal Disaster Declaration today for six tornado-impacted counties: Benton, Carroll, Davidson, Gibson, Putnam and Wilson
The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Nashville remains activated with a State of Emergency in place in Tennessee.
Tennessee has 24 confirmed storm-related fatalities.
CURRENT SITUATION
The federal government will provide assistance in three Tennessee counties - Davidson, Putnam, and Wilson - to help individuals and county governments begin the recovery process from the deadly March 3, tornadoes.
Impacted individuals in the three, federally-declared counties can begin now to register with FEMA and apply for federal assistance if eligible. Individuals can begin the registration process by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov, or calling FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-758, between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., ET, 7 days a week.
The federal declaration will also provide reimbursement assistance to local jurisdictions in the declared counties to help with costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures during and following the severe weather event.
Joint preliminary damage assessments are ongoing in order to secure assistance for the three remaining counties - Benton, Carroll, and Gibson - in Gov. Lee's request Thursday, and to expand the reimbursement assistance to other categories to help all six counties with infrastructure repairs.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed two tornadoes impacted Tennessee on March 3. The first, an EF3 with 165 mph winds, tracked through Metro Nashville into Wilson County. The second, an EF4 tornado, severely impacted Putnam County. NWS is still conducting surveys on the EF4.
FATALITIES
The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed 24 weather-related fatalities.
18 fatalities in Putnam County
3 fatalities in Wilson County
2 fatalities in Davidson County
1 fatality in Benton County.
POWER OUTAGES & UTILITIES
Around 22,000 remain without power in Tennessee. This total includes 18,900 in Davidson County, 2200 in Wilson County, and 1,000 in Putnam and Jackson counties.
SHELTERS
The following shelters are open in Tennessee:
Centennial Sportsplex, 222 25th Ave N., Nashville, TN
East Nashville High School, 110 Gallatin Ave. Nashville, TN
First Baptist Church, 18 South Walnut Ave., Cookeville, TN
Hadley Regional Center, 1037 28th Ave. N., Nashville, TN
Highland Heights Church of Christ, 505 N. Cumberland, Lebanon, TN
Smith Springs Community Center, 2801 Smith Springs Rd., Nashville, TN
For information on finding a shelter, visit: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html
IMPORTANT WEBSITES and PHONE NUMBERS
Those who need help with debris removal can contact the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 1-800-451-1954.
Airbnb is providing no-cost accommodations to Tennessee storm and tornado survivors, www.airbnb.com/tornado20.
Tennessee's Crisis Phone Line is 1-855-274-7471 to speak with a trained mental health professional.
Volunteer in Davidson County to help survivors with Hands on Nashville, 615-298-1108 or www.hon.org.
Volunteer to help survivors in other Tennessee counties with TN VOAD, https://tnvoad.shutterfly.org.
Avoid disaster-related scams with help from the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, 615-741-4743 or www.tn.gov/consumer.
Get help on filing insurance claims, hiring contractors, and reporting misconduct with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, www.tn.gov/commerce.
Local short-term or permanent rental housing options with the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, www.TNHousingSearch.org or 1-877-428-8844.
The Tennessee Department of Safety has Driver Services Mobile Units in Cookeville and Nashville to help those who have lost IDs during the storms, http://bit.ly/32PaTuF.
