Federal Disaster Assistance Approved for 10 Upper Cumberland Counties Impacted by August Flood

 

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today announced the federal government has authorized a major disaster declaration for 10 Tennessee counties. The disaster declaration is the result of flooding in the state on August 16, 2010.

 

Counties in the declaration include: Clay, Cocke, Hardin, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith and Wayne.

 

“This has been an unprecedented year for flooding in Tennessee," Bredesen said. "I appreciate President Obama and other federal officials continuing to expedite our requests so we can help local communities as they work to rebuild.”

 

Areas in the declared counties received an average of six to seven inches of rain, with some areas receiving more than 11 inches of rainfall, on August 16, with the most severe damage impacting roads and bridges.

 

The authorization for public assistance will provide reimbursements to local governments in the declared counties to reclaim expenses for: debris removal; overtime for response workers; measures taken to protect lives and property; and repairs to roads, bridges, water control facilities, buildings, utilities and parks.

 

The federal program, managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will provide a 75 percent reimbursement rate for costs associated with eligible public assistance projects in the declared counties.

 

The state and local governments will split the remaining costs evenly. Utilities are also eligible for the 75 percent reimbursement, but must pay the remaining 25 percent themselves.

 

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency is responsible for reviewing the public assistance project applications from local governments, assessing the funding and making the payments to public assistance applicants.

 

For more information on FEMA’s public assistance program, go to http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm.