10/03/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/03/2024 19:35
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
CURRENT SITUATION
On Oct. 2, Gov. Bill Lee announced approval of his request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties. Damage assessments remain in progress and will inform additional requests to be made to the federal government.
With this approval, survivors who live in the declared counties are now able to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance. Since approval, there have been 1,457 valid registrations. Individuals can apply for direct assistance through FEMA's IA program online anytime or by phone at 1-800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. ET. Multilingual operators are available.
Those eligible for FEMA's IA program may receive help with rental assistance, home repair, and personal property replacement, in addition to other uninsured or underinsured disaster losses. More information on FEMA's IA program can be found here.
A Disaster Hotline (423) 830-2696 has been established to serve as a unified regional hotline for community members, donors, and national/international organizations seeking information or requiring specific logistical considerations about disaster relief efforts. The hotline is available between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
Bristol Motor Speedway has been opened as the Northeast Tennessee Disaster Relief Center. This center will serve as a home base for recovery efforts and a major distribution center in the aftermath of the devastating floods. They will be operating from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. This center does not replace the donation centers that have been established by counties. For more information, including a list of requested and prohibited items, visit TEMA's website.
TEMA continues to deploy personnel at the request of the counties and is coordinating with local officials to assess damages and ensure life safety needs are met. TEMA recommends residents continue to tune into information provided by their local officials to remain safe.
POWER OUTAGES AND UTILITIES
TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) is issuing a temporary water contact advisory telling the public to avoid all contact with bodies of water affected by the extreme flooding in East Tennessee. This applies to all surface waters in the Nolichucky, French Broad, Pigeon, Doe, and Watauga River watersheds as well as any other waters affected by the flooding. Read TDEC's full release on their website.
TENNESSEE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation established a hotline (1-800-TBI-FIND/1-800-824-3463) to coordinate reports of missing persons in the areas affected by the recent flooding in Northeast Tennessee. Callers should be prepared to relay as much identifying information as possible, including names, phone numbers, vehicle identification, and last known whereabouts.
As of Thursday, Oct. 3, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has received more than 500 calls regarding missing individuals. Of those, approximately 27 are still active leads that TBI is coordinating with local law enforcement response. Please note, this number does not represent the total of unaccounted individuals, just public leads that still need to be cleared.
SHELTERING LOCATIONS
Local jurisdictions and the American Red Cross are managing shelters in impacted areas. For the most up to date shelter locations, visit TEMA's website.
TN DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY PATROL
TN DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY
Driver Services Division is issuing duplicate identification licenses and driver licenses at the Unicoi Police Department, Elizabethon Driver Services Center, and Newport Grammar School for survivors. The following locations are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT through Oct. 4, 2024.
Temporary Driver Services Locations:
Elizabethton Driver Services Center
1741 HWY 19 E Bypass
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Newport Grammar School
301 College Street
Newport, TN 37821
Unicoi Police Department
3600 Unicoi Drive
Unicoi, TN 37692
TN DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
If your job was impacted by the flooding in East Tennessee, you can apply for state unemployment now while Tennessee awaits approval of Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
TN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
TN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PROTECTIVE ACTIONS/KEY MESSAGES