Multi-Agency Resource Centers Open for Tennesseans Impacted by Hurricane Helene

Monday, October 07, 2024 | 03:24pm

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) has established two Multi-Agency Resource Centers for individuals affected by Hurricane Helene. Each Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) will be staffed with personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal, state, and regional partners to ensure residents have access to all available resources following the flooding event. TEMA is working to identify additional MARC locations.

The MARCs will be open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. ET, Monday – Saturday. On Sunday, MARCs will be open 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. ET.

MARC – Elizabethton

1749 HWY 19E

Elizabethton, TN 37643

MARC – Jonesborough

306 Forest Dr.

Jonesborough, TN 37659

Individuals can speak to representatives from several agencies and departments, including but not limited to: FEMA, TEMA, American Red Cross, Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD), Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), and Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security – Driver Services. As of this release, Small Business Administration (SBA) will only be available at the Jonesborough location.

“The recovery process in Northeast Tennessee will be an extensive, long-term effort oriented around survivor-centered operations. We are committed to meeting survivors where they are and strive to ensure the resources needed are present,” said TEMA Director Patrick C. Sheehan. “These Multi-Agency Resource Centers will serve as hubs for vital assistance needed by survivors.”

Survivors in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties can apply for FEMA Individual Assistance (IA). Survivors can apply:

  • Online anytime at www.disasterassistance.gov
  • By phone at 1-800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. ET. Multilingual operators are available.
  • In-person at a Multi-Agency Resource Center.

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.

TEMA continues to deploy personnel and resources 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.

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About the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency: TEMA’s mission is to coordinate preparedness, response and recovery from man-made, natural and technological hazards in a professional and efficient manner in concert with our stakeholders. Follow TEMA on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and at tn.gov/tema.