Survivors in Davidson, Putnam and Wilson counties May Apply for Disaster Assistance
ATLANTA – Homeowners and renters in Davidson, Putnam and Wilson counties, Tennessee, may now apply for disaster assistance for uninsured and underinsured damage and losses resulting from the March 3 severe storms, straight line winds and tornadoes.
Davidson, Putnam and Wilson counties were designated for Individual Assistance on March 5, 2019. To be eligible for disaster aid, storm damage and losses from the severe storms and tornadoes must have occurred March 3.
If you have a homeowner’s policy, file your insurance claim immediately before applying for disaster assistance. Get the process started quickly. The faster you file, the faster your recovery can begin.
If you cannot return to your home, or you are unable to live in your home, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, or call 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY) to determine what federal, state, local or voluntary agency assistance may be available to you.
If you can return to your home and it is safe, has working power, water, and sewer or septic service visit DisasterAssistance.gov to determine if state, voluntary and local organizations in your community can address any unmet needs.
"Scores of Tennesseans suffered in the aftermath of these tornadoes, and left many with destroyed or very damaged homes,” TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan said. “The State of Tennessee will continue working with local, non-governmental, and federal partners to ensure assistance is provided as quickly as possible.”
Disaster assistance may provide temporary help and a place to stay while you build your own recovery plan. Although the federal government cannot make you whole, it may also be able to help your recovery move forward by providing grants for basic repairs to make your home safe, accessible and secure. FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, those without insurance or those who may be underinsured may still receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.
“We’re working closely with Tennessee EMA and voluntary agencies to get survivors the help they need. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams can help connect survivors with disaster recovery resources,” said Myra M. Shird, FEMA’s chief coordinating official in Tennessee.
Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. If referred, applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov or by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Davidson, Putnam and Lee counties were also designated for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program to reimburse the state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency protective measures (Category B).
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FEMA’s mission: Helping people before, during, and after disasters.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.
FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
Fact Sheets: Individual Assistance, Individuals and Household Programs