Flash Report #13 - Flooding

Thursday, August 26, 2021 | 12:18pm

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Tennessee’s Major Disaster Declaration amended to provide additional assistance to Hickman and Humphreys counties.
  • Tennessee Dept. of Health providing WIC and vital records assistance.
  • Tennessee Housing Development Agency opens Housing Choice Voucher program.
  • Significant volunteer effort underway in impacted counties.
  • 19 confirmed weather-related fatalities in Humphreys County.
  • Middle Tennessee Flood Recovery for information and resources.

CURRENT SITUATION

Hickman and Humphreys counties will receive federal reimbursement assistance with debris removal and emergency measures taken for disaster response in an amendment this morning to Tennessee’s Major Disaster Declaration.

Individuals in Dickson, Hickman, Houston, and Humphreys counties can register with FEMA to determine their eligibility for direct federal assistance, by completing an application online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or calling FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585), 6 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Central Time.

WIC participants who receive WIC services through the Humphreys County Health Department (closed due  flooding) may contact the Dickson County Health Department or the Tennessee WIC Hotline to be connecting with a WIC representative.  The Dickson County Health Department can be reached at 615-446-2839 (Press 0 for operator or extension 1011 to leave a voice message). The Tennessee WIC Hotline is 1-800-DIAL-WIC (1-800-342-5942), 7 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Central Time. Language assistance and translation services are available.

The Tennessee Dept. of Health will replace vital records lost in the flooding for residents in the impacted area. Residents can go to Loyce’s Bridal Shop, 101 N. Court Square in Waverly to connect with a Health Department staff member and receive assistance.

The Tennessee Housing Development Agency will open the Housing Choice Voucher program to eligible households affected by the flood in Hickman, Houston, and Humphreys counties, in THDA’s Section 8 service area. Households will not need to go through the waiting list process. Individuals can call THDA's Middle Tennessee at 615-564-1200. This information will be posted on TNHousingSearch.org and on THDA's website for Section 8 participants. Receiving a voucher does not guarantee housing is available in the affected counties. Renters will still need to locate suitable housing. They can search listings for free on www.TNHousingSearch.org. Landlords can also list available properties for rent on TNHousingSearch.org for free. 

VOLUNTEER EFFORTS & INFO

A significant cleanup and recovery effort is underway in Humphreys County and many organizations and individuals are volunteering or providing volunteer personnel and resources for this effort.

Individuals and organizations who want to volunteer should call (931) 888-8011 or (931) 888-8012, or go to the Dollar Tree, 505 W. Main St., in Waverly where many response agencies are located.

Volunteers can also connect with Tennessee Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster through TNVOAD’s website or by email tnvoad@nvoad.org.

Please work with established non-profit organizations to volunteer as part of an organized effort. This way the appropriate safety, training, and skills can be provided and utilized for the effort.

FATALITIES

The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed 19 weather-related fatalities in Humphreys County as of this evening. This total is preliminary and pending further updates from local medical officials. No further details are available at this time.

RECOVERY HELP

  • Individuals and households in Dickson, Hickman, Houston, and Humphreys counties can register for FEMA assistance as follows:
    • Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.  
    • Call the application phone number at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585), 6 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Central Time.
    • Multilingual operators are available.
  • TEMA has a Middle Tennessee Flood Recovery resource page that consolidates various recovery resources and information for flood survivors.
  • Humphreys County workers displaced due to flooding can apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance by visiting the American Job Center, 711 Holly Lane, in Waverly. Those with computer and internet access can also apply at Jobs4TN.gov.
  • Crisis Cleanup help line at 615-338-7404 where flood survivors can request volunteer clean-up assistance.
  • McEwen High School, 335 Melrose St. in McEwen, Tenn., now serving as a point of distribution for commodities, such as canned food, water, and cleaning supplies.
  • The Humane Society of Dickson, https://humanesocietyofdickson.com/, is taking donations to help Waverly Animal Shelter. Anyone who would like to foster a lost pet can call the Waverly Animal shelter at (931) 296-7319 or visit the facility at 108 Young Road in Waverly.
  • Open shelters:
    • Waverly Church of Christ, 438 West Main St., Waverly, TN 
    • YMCA of Dickson County, 225 Henslee Dr, Dickson TN 37055
    • First Baptist Church, 300 E. Main St. Waverly TN 37185
    • Fairfield Church of Christ, 1860 TN-100, Centerville, TN 37033

TODAY’S FORECAST

  • Memphis: Thunderstorm in the afternoon with a high of 95.
  • Jackson: Thunderstorm possible with a high of 93.
  • Nashville: Thunderstorm possible with a high of 94.
  • Knoxville:  Humid with a possible afternoon thunderstorm. High of 90.
  • Chattanooga: Humid, possible thunderstorm and a high of 89.
  • Johnson City:  Afternoon thunderstorm possible and a high of 90.

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