TEMA FLASH REPORT #15 – Tennessee Tornadoes and Severe Weather

Thursday, March 12, 2020 | 03:28pm

HIGHLIGHTS

·         Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed an additional storm-related fatality in Putnam County. There are now 25 storm-related fatalities in the state.

·         Disaster registration centers expand services for disaster survivors.

·         All Disaster Recovery Centers have closed at noon today as a result of the inclement weather. Centers will reopen on Friday weather permitting.

·         County-level damage assessments enter wind-down phase in west and middle Tennessee.

·         Visit TEMA’s recovery resource page for information on disaster help and recovery.

·         State of Emergency remains as TEMA begins transition to disaster recovery posture.

·         Less than 500 customers are without power in Davidson County.

 

CURRENT SITUATION
TEMA and FEMA’s joint preliminary damage assessments wrapped up in Benton, Carroll, and Gibson counties today, with Smith County expected to be complete tomorrow. TEMA will review the data from the damage assessments and provide to FEMA for determination as to whether the counties can be added to Tennessee’s existing federal disaster declaration and qualify for the federal Public Assistance (PA) program.

One shelter, Centennial Sportsplex, 222 25th Ave N., in Nashville remains open with 143 occupants.

A Tennessee Housing Task Force held its first meeting today with representatives from TEMA, Tennessee Housing Development Authority, Metro Nashville Housing Authority, and the American Red Cross, to examine housing needs and solutions for those displaced by the tornadoes and severe weather.

There are four Disaster Centers open in Tennessee to help disaster survivors with services and the application process for federal assistance.

There are 25 confirmed storm-related fatalities from the tornadoes and severe weather. County fatalities are as follows:

·         19 fatalities in Putnam County

·         3 fatalities in Wilson County

·         2 fatalities in Davidson County

·         1 fatality in Benton County

 

The Tennessee Department of Transportation is reminding I-40 travelers of the rolling roadblocks near the Golden Bear Gateway exit 229 at Beckwith Road to allow the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to install power lines over the interstate as a result of the recent tornados. The powerline work will be ongoing until Sun., March 15.

 

FEMA INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE
For survivors who need one-on-one assistance with the federal application process, TEMA and FEMA have four disaster recovery centers operating in Davidson and Putnam counties, with a center planned to open soon in Wilson County. All centers have closed at noon today as a result of inclement weather. Centers will reopen tomorrow morning weather permitting.

Davidson County Disaster Recovery Centers are located at:

·         Hermitage Community Center, 3720 James Kay Ln., Hermitage, TN

·         East Park Community Center, 600 Woodland St., Nashville, TN

·         Hadley Community Center, 1037 28th Ave. N., Nashville, TN

·         Hours: Everyday – 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

·         A FEMA Mobile Registration Center is also operating at Lee Chapel AME Church, 1200 Dr. DB Todd Blvd., in Nashville.

 

Putnam County’s Disaster Recovery Center is located at:

·         Hyder-Burks Agriculture Pavilion, 2390 Gainesboro Grade, Cookeville, TN

·         Hours: Sunday – Wednesday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursday – 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday – Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. until further notice

Survivors may apply for help online, by phone or in person. Online, go to DisasterAssistance.gov. By phone, call 800-621-3362 (voice/VP/711) or call 800-462-7585 (TTY). In person, visit any state or federal disaster recovery center.

 

SBA ASSISTANCE FOR SURVIVORS
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has Business Recovery Center in Davidson County to provide information about disaster loans and help with the SBA loan application process.  The SBA center is located at:

·         Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church, 2708 Jefferson Street, Nashville, TN

·         Hours: Weekdays 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Closed Saturdays and Sundays

Applicants can apply for a low-interest disaster loan online using SBA’s secure website at  https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.  Survivors can get more information about SBA disaster assistance Call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, visit sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information about SBA’s disaster assistance loans.  Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877- 8339.

FORECAST

·         Memphis:  Scattered thunderstorm, with a chance of severe storms. High of 71 and low of  55.

·         Nashville:  Rain showers and severe weather expected this evening. High of 73 and a low of 55.

·         Knoxville:  Mostly cloudy with a chance of severe weather this evening. High of 69 and a low of 62.

 

Currently there is an enhanced risk of severe storms across Tennessee. Isolated heavy rainfall has the potential for flooding and flash flooding.

 

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