Residents in six Northeast Tennessee counties are receiving a lifeline from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as Governor Bill Lee announced the approval of Direct Temporary Housing Assistance for those left without homes following the devastation of Tropical Storm Helene. The counties—Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington—were pummeled by severe flooding when the storm struck on September 26.
"As Tennessee continues to rebuild, we remain focused on ensuring critical resources are made available to each impacted community," Gov. Lee stated in a news release. The assistance program targets homeowners and renters whose residences were either majorly damaged or destroyed by the storm. Enacting the support from a federal level underscores the gravity of the disaster’s impact and the uphill battle for normalcy that lies ahead for affected families.
According to the announcement from the governor's office, eligibility for the FEMA assistance program requires that a home be deemed unsafe to live in due to "significant structural damage that requires extensive repairs" or to have been labeled a "total loss."
Providing a path toward recovery, the FEMA aid program has been lauded by Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) Director Patrick C. Sheehan, who stated to the governor's office, "Approval for Direct Temporary Housing Assistance ensures that families displaced by the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene have a safe place to live while they begin the difficult process of rebuilding their lives." He explained that TEMA's focus is to support survivors every step of the way and provide the resources they need to recover and regain stability.
