NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Three more East Tennessee counties are eligible for a program by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that benefits local governments and some nonprofits. A major disaster declaration was expanded on Thursday to include Claiborne, Grainger and Sullivan counties.
According to a release from the governor's office, FEMA's Public Assistance program can cover different kinds of recovery efforts. The program gives supplemental grants to local governments and some nonprofits, helping them pay for debris removal, live-saving protective measures and restoration of public infrastructure.
Other counties already included in the program include Jefferson, Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties. Those counties are also included in the Individual Assistance program. The program gives direct funds to help individuals recover from disasters, such as the devastating flooding from Hurricane Helene.
Anyone in those counties who is eligible to benefit from the Individual Assistance program can apply online. They can also call 1-800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. EDT for help applying.
FEMA also said that as of Wednesday, federal disaster assistance has surpassed $344 million and has impacted around 375,000 households in its response to Hurricane Helene. It said it has shipped more than 17 million meals, around 14 million liters of water and 210 generators.