(The Center Square) – Three more counties were added to an emergency disaster declaration related to tornadoes that swept through Tennessee on Dec. 9.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency added Cheatham, Gibson and Stewart counties to the Expedited Major Disaster Declaration originally approved Dec. 13 as individuals in those counties are now eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance, with a Feb. 12 deadline.
Individuals in Dickson, Davidson, Montgomery and Sumner counties were already eligible.
“Since receiving the approval of the Expedited Major Disaster Declaration, we have continued to work with the other tornado-impacted counties,” TEMA Director Patrick C. Sheehan said in a statement. “The survivors in these other counties suffered a loss just as much as those that were initially declared, and we remain persistent in our efforts to get them as much help as we can.”
The counties were also added for disaster unemployment insurance for those who live, work or travel through those counties and were impacted by the storms. Applications must be submitted by Jan. 29 for the disaster period from Dec. 10 to June 15.
“As Tennessee continues to rebuild, we remain focused on ensuring critical resources are made available to each impacted community,” Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said in a statement. “I thank our federal partners for granting resources to further our severe weather response and recovery across the state.”
Residents can apply for the IA program online or by phone at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. CT.
The program assists with rental assistance, home repair and personal property replacement.
Six Tennessee residents died during the seven confirmed, including three individuals in Clarksville and three in the Madison area of North Nashville.
Individuals can apply for DUA at Jobs4TN.gov or by calling 1-877-813-0950 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.
