Federal Disaster Assistance Approved for Two Additional Tennessee Counties

Jefferson and Marion Approved for Public Assistance

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced today the federal government will provide Public Assistance to local governments in two additional counties under the current disaster declaration for the severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes of April 25 to April 28, 2011, with a federal designation of DR-1974.

Jefferson and Marion counties are now eligible to receive federal reimbursement in all categories of FEMA’s Public Assistance program.

“We continue working closely with local and federal agencies to make sure we account for all the damage that resulted from these terrible storms so that we are able to pursue all of the necessary federal assistance to help these communities rebuild," Haslam said. 

The designation for Public Assistance allows government entities and certain private non-profits in the designated counties to apply for reimbursement of specific expenses related to disaster response and recovery. 

More information on FEMA’s Public Assistance program can be found at www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm.

More information on Tennessee’s four federal disaster declarations in 2011 can be found on FEMA’s website here: DR-1965, DR-1974, DR-1978 and DR-1979.

For more updates regarding the state’s response, visit the TEMA website at www.tnema.org.