Four Tennessee counties affected by severe storms in July have been approved to receive assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) program, the federal agency announced this week.
On July 18 through July 21, severe storms and straight-line winds rolled through Fayette, Henry, Shelby, and Tipton counties resulting in the destruction of residential and business structures.
.@POTUS approved a major disaster declaration in Tennessee due to the severe storms in July 2023. Federal funds are now available to the state for emergency work & building repairs in Fayette, Henry, Shelby & Tipton counties.
More: https://t.co/XJZKWmrG6G pic.twitter.com/XausiVlKUw
— FEMA (@fema) September 5, 2023
“We are grateful for our federal partners and their approval of our latest request for assistance,” TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan said in a statement. “Federal disaster assistance will bring much- needed economic relief and resources to help our West Tennessee communities recover from the destruction and rebuild stronger.”
FEMA’s PA program “provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies,” according to the agency’s website.
The State of Tennessee is also eligible for FEMA’s cost-sharing Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which “provides assistance to communities to prevent or reduce long-term risks to life and property from natural hazards.”
Yolanda J. Jackson has been named Federal Coordinating Officer for FEMA’s recovery operations in the four affected counties.
FEMA’s assistance comes as Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) are recognizing this month as National Preparedness Month and urging residents to get prepared for disasters.
National Preparedness Month is observed every year in September to “raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time.”
Throughout the month, TEMA will promote emergency preparedness topics including how to make a plan, build an emergency kit, and stay informed about disaster risks.
“National Preparedness Month is an opportunity to renew our commitment to emergency preparedness in homes, businesses, and communities across Tennessee,” Lee said in a statement. “Whether facing flooding, severe storms, or winter weather, it is vital that Tennesseans remain prepared for any disaster.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “FEMA Workers” by FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency.
I have compassion for any and all impacted by tragedies such as tornadoes and hurricanes but I am still looking in the Constitution where the feds can just dump billions of dollars into those places. I always thought that people had the responsibility to insure their property is they wanted to be able to collect for damages.