Haslam Announces 15 Counties Receive Federal Disaster Declaration

Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Henderson, Henry, Houston, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, Montgomery, Obion, Shelby and Stewart to receive assistance for record river flooding NASHVILLE ““ Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced today President Obama granted a request to declare 15 Tennessee counties as federal disaster areas due to a series of severe storms, straight-line winds, flash flooding and the record flooding of the Mississippi River, beginning on April 19, 2011. “Our first responders, local leaders and state agencies have been working around the clock to protect and save the lives of those threatened by the record flooding in Tennessee,” Haslam said. “I am happy our neighbors and communities will receive the relief they need now and the assistance to rebuild when the flood waters recede.” Dyer, Lake, Obion, Shelby and Stewart counties have been approved in both the individual and public assistance categories. Residents and business owners who sustained losses in these counties can begin applying for assistance immediately through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Gibson, Henderson, Henry, Houston, Lauderdale, Madison and Montgomery counties have been approved for public assistance. A separate disaster declaration was granted May 9 to nine counties, including Henderson, Lake and Shelby, due to tornadoes and flash flooding in the state on April 4 and 5, 2011. The designation for public assistance means local governments in all the declared counties are eligible to apply for federal assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and rebuilding and repairing roads, bridges, water control facilities, buildings, utilities and recreational facilities. The declaration also allows counties to apply for assistance from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides grants to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a disaster. The Department of Military, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment & Conservation, Department of Health (EMS), Department of Human Services, Department of Transportation, Department of Safety, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Civil Air Patrol, American Red Cross and Tennessee Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters are responding to the current flooding emergency and providing protective services to help local efforts. Heavy snow-pack melting and above average rainfall in the Midwest raised the Mississippi River to record flood levels along Tennessee’s western border at the end of April. The rising Mississippi River added to flooding already occurring in many middle and west Tennessee counties due to severe storms and tornadoes in mid-April. Additional information about state and federal assistance for affected counties will be released as details become available. For more updates regarding the state’s response, visit the TEMA website at www.tnema.org.