Tennesseans Encouraged to Apply for Assistance in Helene Recovery

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennesseans impacted by Hurricane Helene are encouraged to apply for disaster assistance and continue to access all available resources to support the recovery process.

Disaster Recovery Center Locations

In response to the devastating flooding caused by Tropical Storm Helene in September, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) moved swiftly to establish Multi-Agency Resource Centers (MARC) across several affected counties. These centers brought together personnel from federal, state, and regional agencies to help survivors access vital resources. This collaborative effort provided critical support to communities reeling from the storm's impact.

“The impact from Helene was immediate and extensive for communities in Northeast Tennessee. Providing critical resources and support for survivors as quickly as possible was a top priority,” said TEMA Director Patrick C. Sheehan. “Disasters are stressful, and survivors have questions and needs in the days, weeks, and months following. We are thankful to our federal, state, and local partners for supporting this effort to provide vital recovery resources in one place.”

This was the first time TEMA had organized state-run resource centers following a natural disaster, and the response was substantial. As of Friday, November 1, more than 4,200 Tennesseans had visited a MARC.

Operations at these state-run MARCs have now transitioned to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The MARCs have been converted to Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) with new hours of operation and services. Tennesseans impacted by the storm are encouraged to continue visiting the DRCs to apply for assistance and receive information about community, state, and federal resources.

How to Apply for Individual Assistance 

Survivors from Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties are eligible to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance (IA). This program may provide Direct Temporary Housing Assistance, rental assistance, home repairs, personal property replacement, and aid for uninsured or underinsured disaster losses. Applying for FEMA assistance is a crucial step in the recovery process. The deadline to apply for FEMA disaster assistance is Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

Survivors can apply for disaster assistance through the following methods:

• Online: www.disasterassistance.gov
• On the FEMA App
• By phone: 1-800-621-3362 (available 7 a.m. – midnight Eastern Time, with multilingual operators)
• In-person: Visit a Disaster Recovery Center. To find a center, visit www.fema.gov/drc

For more information about FEMA’s IA program, visit the FEMA website or watch an accessible video on how to apply for disaster assistance here: FEMA Accessible: Registering for Individual Assistance (youtube.com).

TEMA urges all survivors to take advantage of these resources to support their recovery and rebuild their lives following Tropical Storm Helene.

Additional Information on Federal Programs & Assistance Available  

FEMA

• Individual Assistance 
• Public Assistance 
• Direct Temporary Housing Assistance 
• Rental Assistance 
• Assistance for Self-Employed Tennesseans 

The deadline for survivors to apply for Individual Assistance is Tuesday, January 7, 2025.   

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 

• Business Physical Disaster Loans 
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) 
• Home Disaster Loans  

Applicants are encouraged to apply online for a disaster loan. Please call SBA at 800‐659‐2955 or schedule an in-person appointment if you have any questions.   

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation: Small Business Hurricane Recovery Grant 

$5,000 for 1,000 small businesses impacted by Helene with 1 – 25 employees and located in an SBA declared primary county. The deadline to apply for this grant is Sunday, Nov. 17.  

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Emergency Prescription Assistance Program 

If you are experiencing emotional distress related to the disaster recovery, call the Tennessee  Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse crisis hotline at 988.   

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development: Disaster Unemployment Assistance  

Tennessee Department of Revenue: Disaster Tax Relief