KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration to provide federal money for East Tennesseans impacted by severe August storms, including a storm that brought a tornado to West Knox County
On Aug. 7, severe storms caused damage in various East Tennessee counties. An EF2 tornado displaced hundreds of people at a Knox County apartment complex and straight-line winds peeled the roof off Loudon County High School.
Now, federal funding is available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in Cumberland, Jefferson, Knox, Loudoun and Roane counties.
The funding is for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said the grant program provides help to communities to prevent and reduce long-term natural hazard risks.
“We remain focused on our priority of ensuring necessary resources are available to communities recovering from this severe weather event,” TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan said. “Federal disaster assistance will bring economic relief to East Tennessee and support their on-going recovery process.”