Twelve Tennessee Counties Qualify for Federal Recovery Assistance from December Tornadoes

pieces of crushed metal in front of someone's house after tornado

Governor Bill Lee’s office announced Friday that the Biden administration has qualified twelve counties to receive Major Disaster Declaration relief after a tornado-producing storm front tore through the state in early December. 

“I appreciate the hard recovery work we’ve already accomplished with our local, state, and federal partners,” Governor Lee said. “We will continue working to make sure Tennesseans have every resource necessary for a full, swift recovery.”

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Governor Bill Lee Holds Press Conference After Surveying Tornado Damage: Sees ‘A Great Deal of Hope in the Midst of Real Devastation’

Gov. Bill Lee speaking about tornado damage on Dec. 11

Governor Bill Lee held a press conference Sunday following the devastating tornadoes that ripped across Tennessee. Damage spanned the state, and left a trail of destruction through parts of 19 counties, according to preliminary reports from the National Weather Service.

Lee’s remarks followed an aerial surveillance of the damage from the storms. He called it, “A very heartbreaking and difficult day for the state of Tennessee.”

The governor continued that there was extensive devastation in the areas that he toured. He said it’s been a difficult day for Tennessee, and neighboring states.

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President Trump Visits Tornado Damaged Areas in Middle Tennessee

President Donald Trump visited Tennessee on Friday after the Volunteer State had a series of storms that produced tornadoes earlier this week that killed 25 people.

Air Force one landed to a contingent of officials and lawmakers. The president did not make a statement or take questions, instead opting to board Marine One for a 40-minute helicopter ride due east to Cookeville, which was one of the hardest-hit areas.

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