SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. — Many East Tennesseans are still reeling from the damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene.
The devastating floods have affected Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties. In response, President Joe Biden and Gov. Bill Lee issued a Major Disaster Declaration for those counties.
With water and power coming back for some residents, others still require help.
Ways to receive help
FEMA
Individuals, families and business owners who sustained losses can apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov, calling 1-800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., or using the FEMA app.
Those eligible may receive help with rental assistance, home repair and personal property replacement, in addition to other uninsured disaster losses.
TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan told WBIR that many FEMA employees and some TEMA employees will go door to door in the affected counties on Friday. Sheehan said TEMA is aiming to make sure that the people who applied for aid know what is available to them as soon as possible.
"The Federal Coordinating Officer and I... we share this desire to be as fast as possible with getting information out there so that people can register and get the aid they are now entitled to," Sheehan said.
He said people should expect to see people in FEMA shirts, with their ID badges. He said they would not ask for people's social security or bank account or make a payment.
"You should not, you should never pay someone that's coming to do these things," he said. "Call 911 and let us know where they are because if people are doing this, we want them to face the justice that they deserve."
TEMA
The Tennesee Emergency Management Agency has designated Bristol Motor Speedway as the Northeast Tennessee Disaster Relief Center. This center will serve as a home base for recovery efforts and a major distribution center.
They will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. This center does not replace the donation centers that have been established by counties.
U.S. Small Business Administration
Businesses, private nonprofits and homeowners in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties are eligible for Disaster Loan Assistance.
Businesses and private nonprofits in those counties are eligible for disaster loans with favorable terms to repair/replace real estate, equipment, inventory, and working capital, future mitigation, etc.
Homeowners and renters are also eligible for assistance to repair/replace a principal residence and personal property.
However, businesses and nonprofits in Grainger, Hancock, Jefferson, Sevier and Sullivan counties are eligible for coverage of financial loss.
You can apply for disaster loans here.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross provides many options for victims to recover from Helene.
If you need assistance in locating or connecting with a loved one, you can fill out their form and provide as much detail as you can about that person.
If you need to recover financially, the Red Cross suggests you contact your insurance agent to file a claim, make a list of damaged items and provide receipts, and make copies of all documents given to your claims adjuster.
You can read more here.
Mountain Tough
The Sevier County government announced that Mountain Tough was activated to provide direct assistance to impacted residents. The application deadline is Friday, Oct. 25.
Hotlines/Helplines
- American Red Cross: 423-923-2679
- Cocke County Mental Health Hotline: 423-540-5552
- The Crisis Clean-Up Hotline: 844-965-1386
- Johnson County Property Assessor's Office: 423-727-7692 (call between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday)
- Hurricane Helene Cleanup Hotline: 844-965-1386 (remaining open through Oct. 11)
- The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation: 1-800-8244-3463 (regarding missing persons in affected areas)
- Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
If you or someone you know needs mental health crisis counseling, call 911 or the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
