Volunteer Relief Efforts

Please remember, it is important that you partner with a relief organization such as TEMA or the American Red Cross to provide assistance. Attempting to go to the affected areas on your own may hamper existing relief efforts, and you may be forced to return home.

Federal Disaster Aid

• In response to Governor Bredesen's request to President Bush, 17 Tennessee counties have been authorized to receive federal disaster aid following storms that ravaged the state on February 5 and 6, 2008. To date the federal government has authorized major disaster declarations for Benton, Fayette, Fentress, Hardin, Haywood, Hickman, Houston, Lewis, Macon, Madison, McNairy, Montgomery, Perry, Shelby, Sumner, Trousdale and Williamson Counties. For more information on major disaster declarations and federal aid programs for Tennessee, please read Federal Aid Programs for Tennessee Disaster Recovery.
• Help from FEMA
  Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties should apply for assistance immediately by registering online at www.fema.org or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance
  Governor Phil Bredesen has attained Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for workers in several counties who have lost work as a direct result of the storms. Benefits will be paid under provision of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, which became available when President Bush granted a Presidential Disaster Declaration in Tennessee. Please see List of DUA Approved Counties for more information.
• Federal Disaster Loans
  The Small Business Administration is making low-interest federal disaster loans available to qualified homeowners, renters and businesses. Residents in counties declared by the federal government as major disaster areas are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Residents in the contiguous counties are eligible to apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans only. Please see Disaster Loan Fact Sheet for more information.

Getting Help

• Coping with the Effects of Crisis and Trauma – Mental Health Resources Available across the State
  In the aftermath of the recent devastating tornadoes, many Tennesseans are finding their lives changed in ways they have never before experienced. After experiencing such trauma, many people experience the feelings that their safe, routine lives are now suddenly dangerous and unpredictable. Read more about helping yourself and others cope with these responses.
• Assistance for Persons with Disabilities
  The Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability has nine agencies located throughout the state that can assist elderly and disabled storm victims with medical equipment, transportation and meals. For more information on services available in your area, please call 1-866-836-6678.
  
  Individuals with disabilities who lost their homes or durable medical equipment in the Tennessee storms and those individuals who acquired disabilities as a result of the storms can obtain medical equipment free of charge by contacting United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee.
  
  Emergency housing assistance for persons with severe disabilities is also available through United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee in collaboration with the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. Together they have established a rural housing assistance program that can provide up to $4,000 in assistance to low income individuals with disabilities and their families who were affected by the storms. Read more and get an application at Tennessee Disability Housing Assistance Program.
• Assistance for Farmers
  The Department of Agriculture recommends that agricultural producers impacted by the storms contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office for information on the availability of low-interest emergency loans. USDA's Emergency Conservation Program can also help with farm field debris removal, and fence and conservation structure restoration.  For more information on federal farm disaster assistance programs, visit USDA Farm Service Agency.
  
  Farmers can also contact the Tennessee Farm Bureau about the Tennessee Farm Disaster Response Fund. The Farm Bureau Federation has established a disaster relief fund at the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Funds will be directed to farm and rural communities to help families rebuild the agricultural infrastructure in affected areas. Grants from the fund are intended to help those who have incurred substantial damage to their homes, farms and/or personal property in those counties declared Presidential Disaster Areas by the federal government.
  
  To learn more about the Community Foundation or make a donation to the Tennessee Farm Disaster Response Fund, please visit Middle Tennessee Community Foundation.
  
  Additional information about how to apply for a grant from the Tennessee Farm Disaster Response Fund will be made available soon. Questions may be directed to Bobby Beets, Director of the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, at (931) 388-7872.
  

Consumer Tips for Storm Victims

• Dealing with Insurance Companies
  Filing insurance claims in the wake of devastating storms can be an overwhelming task. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance has offered consumers some suggestions that will make dealing with insurance companies a little easier. Read Tips for Storm Victims Dealing with Insurance Companies.
• Rebuilding after the Storm
  Rebuilding after a devastating storm can be a difficult and complex process. For consumer tips on avoiding home repair scams, please see Home Repair Scams: Tips for Consumers.
• Department of Health To Suspend Birth And Death Certificate Fees For Tornado Victims – The Tennessee Department of Health will waive the fees for tornado victims needing replacement birth certificates and will also provide to family members free of charge death certificates for those who lost their life. Eligible residents live in the Mid-Cumberland, South Central, Upper Cumberland and West regions of the state. The waiver is effective through March 15, 2008. For more information or to inquire about eligibility, contact your county health department. See a listing of Local Health Departments.

Tornado Clean-Up Safety, Procedures, and Services

• TOSHA Urges Safety First in Tornado Clean-Up
  The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration is working with clean-up crews and private citizens across the state urging job safety during the recovery process. Staff will travel into all counties affected by the storms to provide assistance and distribute safety and health items and guidelines. Read safety guidelines for clean-up efforts.
• Department of Health Urges Safety Precautions in Storm, Tornado Aftermath
  As residents in several Tennessee counties work to move forward in the aftermath of devastating storms, the Department of Health reminds citizens to take precautions to stay safe from illness and injury as they try to clean up and get their lives back in order. Learn more about staying safe after a disaster and how to prepare your home and family for future emergencies.
• Clean-Up Methods
  The Department of Environment and Conservation is working with local communities to identify options for debris disposal sites and for storage of debris that is not immediately processed. For more information on the services available in your area, please call 1-888-891-TDEC (8332).
  
  The Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry and the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Air Pollution Control remind the public that burning debris is an option for those needing to clear property damage, including debris such as tree limbs and untreated lumber. However, burning permits are still required and may be easily obtained by calling 1-800-337-3157. For more information on materials that are safe to burn, please visit http://burnsafetn.org.
• Department of Transportation Leads Macon County Debris Removal Effort – The Tennessee Department of Transportation is coordinating a multi-agency task force operation to remove debris from Macon County. Residents are encouraged to move any debris for removal as close to the public right of way as possible for pick up. Crews will not be removing debris from private property. Crews are working along set routes and will be making several return trips to affected areas.
  
  Any Macon County residents with debris removal needs may call the Tornado Volunteer and Donation hotline at 1-866-596-4483 and their location will be reported to the Tennessee Storm Task Force headquarters for inclusion in debris removal sites.
  
  People who would like to volunteer their services for the cleanup effort should also contact the Tornado Volunteer and Donation hotline at 1-866-596-4483.

Animal Care Information

Disaster Animal Response Team Information & Animal Care Situational Report

• Requests/Offers for Assistance – All requests for animal care assistance should be directed to local emergency agencies, which will in turn notify the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is responsible for providing support for animal care and housing, including coordinating the deployment of qualified relief workers and organizations. To ensure the safety of the public and animals, only qualified, credentialed workers will be allowed to work in affected areas as directed through the State Emergency Operations Center.
• Emergency Instructions for Animal Care in Macon County – A large animal care host site has been established at Brownings Livestock Market, 904 Scottsville Rd., Lafayette, TN for stray or unidentified livestock. Owners can claim their animals at this location. For owners unable to care for displaced livestock, a special sale will be held. For more information, contact the livestock market directly at (615) 666-2184, or Macon County Extension agent Steve Walker at (615) 888-6167.
  
  A small animal care host site has been established at the Macon County Fairgrounds, located off of Russell Drive in Lafayette, and is being managed by the Humane Association of the United States for injured, stray or unidentified animals. Owners may claim lost animals at this location.
• Emergency Instructions for Animal Disposal in Macon County – Emergency officials are recommending that farmers properly bury dead livestock on their farm if possible. Otherwise, disposal services will be made available. For assistance, contact the Macon County Emergency Operations Center at (615) 666-9373.
• Animal Relief Fund Established – An animal relief fund has been established in Macon County to help with veterinary care. To make a donation or for more information, contact the Macon County Bank & Trust at (615) 666-2121.