TEMA FLASH REPORT #8 - Tornado and Severe Weather Event
HIGHLIGHTS
- Debris clearance, power restoration, and damage assessments are ongoing in five tornado-impacted Tennessee counties.
- TEMA has created a recovery resource page for those affected by the deadly tornado and severe weather.
- Gov. Bill Lee has requested an expedited Federal Disaster Declaration for relief in six tornado-impacted counties
- 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.
- 23,550 remain without power in three counties.
CURRENT SITUATION
A State of Emergency remains in Tennessee as a result of the deadly March 3 tornado and severe weather in Tennessee. Efforts to conduct damage assessments, clear debris, restore power, provide shelter, and meet local needs continue in Benton, Carroll, Davidson, Gibson, Putnam and Wilson counties.
FATALITIES
· The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed 24 weather-related fatalities.
o 18 fatalities in Putnam County
o 3 fatalities in Wilson County
o 2 fatalities in Davidson County
o 1 fatality in Benton County.
POWER OUTAGES & UTILITIES
· Power companies are engaged in ongoing efforts to restore power to 23,550 customers.
· Davidson County has 18,350 without power; Wilson County has 2,200; and Putnam and Jackson counties have a total of 3,000 without power
SHELTERS
· The following shelters are open in Tennessee:
o Centennial Sportsplex, 222 25th Ave N., Nashville, TN
o East Nashville High School, 110 Gallatin Ave. Nashville, TN
o First Baptist Church, 18 South Walnut Ave., Cookeville, TN
o Hadley Regional Center, 1037 28th Ave. N., Nashville, TN
o Highland Heights Church of Christ, 505 N. Cumberland, Lebanon, TN
o 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
RECOVERY RESOURCES
· A list of recovery resources is available on the TEMA website at www.tn.gov/tema
· In times of disaster, financial donations are the best way to aid those in need. Cash can be used immediately in response to a crisis and allows disaster relief organizations to purchase exactly what is needed, when it’s needed. Cash gives relief organizations the means to procure supplies near the affected area, which cuts down on transportation time and cost. Monetary contributions also support local economies and ensure that businesses can operate when relief supplies diminish.
· Those wanting to volunteer should contact a volunteer organization so that resources can be effectively organized among the communities impacted. Do not self-deploy.
FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION PROCESS
· The following details the step-by-step process in making a formal request to the federal government for a disaster declaration. See the press release here.
· The red arrow in the graph below indicates where Tennessee is in the process now with Gov. Lee’s announcement this morning requesting assistance for six Tennessee tornado impacted counties – Benton, Carroll, Davidson, Gibson, Putnam, and Wilson.
· Joint preliminary damage assessments remain ongoing and more counties and other types of assistance categories may be added to Gov. Lee’s request.
· Individual Assistance - FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program (IA) ensures disaster survivors have timely access to a full range of authorized programs and services, such as Mass Care and Emergency Assistance, Crisis Counseling and Training, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Disaster Legal Services, Disaster Case Management, and the Individuals and Households Program.
· Public Assistance – FEMA’s Public Assistance Program (PA) provides federal disaster reimbursement assistance to local governments and certain private non-profits for impacts to infrastructure and property, and other emergency work as a result of a disaster.
· U.S. Small Business Administration – The U.S. Small Business Administration provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters. SBA disaster loans can be used to repair or replace the following items damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster: real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, and inventory and business assets.
FORECAST
· Memphis: Partly sunny, high of 64 and a low of 43.
· Nashville: Cloudy, high of 64 and a low of 40.
· Knoxville: Sunny, high of 57 and a low of 43.
Attachments: Flash Report #8
