CHATTANOOGA, Tn -- U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., today applauded disaster assistance now available for areas of Tennessee damaged by severe storms from February 29 through March 2.
Yesterday evening, President Barack Obama accepted Governor Bill Haslam's request for a major disaster declaration for Tennessee. Individual assistance is now available for Bradley, Claiborne, Cumberland, DeKalb, Hamilton, Jackson, McMinn, Monroe, Overton and Polk counties. On Thursday, Senators Lamar Alexander and Corker and U.S. Representatives Diane Black, Scott DesJarlais, John Duncan, and Chuck Fleishmann sent a letter to the president in support of the governor's request.
"I thank Governor Haslam for seeking aid for those recovering from the severe storms, and I appreciate the administration's quick approval of the governor's request that was supported by our congressional delegation. As communities continue to repair and rebuild, I hope this assistance will help Tennesseans in need," Corker said.
The letter written to President Obama and signed by Tennessee Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker on March 15, 2012 stated "The storms that swept through Tennessee beginning February 29, 2012 claimed three lives, damaged hundreds homes [sic] and left families across the state in need of immediate shelter. According to the preliminary damage assessments there is over $18 million in damages to homes, and several workers have also lost their jobs due to damage to businesses. Tennessee has suffered 5 declared disasters in the past 12 months, and several counties are still struggling to recover."
Those in the designated counties can apply for assistance by registering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) online at www.disasterassistance.gov
or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).