Cohen: President Obama Issues Major Disaster Declaration for State of Tennessee

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) today announced that President Obama has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Tennessee due to the Severe Winter Storms experienced across the state from March 2-4, 2014. All counties in the State of Tennessee are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“Throughout Memphis and Shelby County people still need help recovering from the Severe Winter Storms we experienced in March,” said Congressman Cohen. “I, along with other members of the Tennessee Congressional delegation, called on President Obama to quickly approve Governor Haslam’s request to make federal aid ready and available. I was pleased to learn that the President acted quickly on this request, and that Memphians and Tennesseans will soon receive the help they require.”

The Public Assistance Program and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provide grants to state and local governments and certain non-profit entities to assist them with the response to and recovery from disasters. The program provides assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent restoration of infrastructure.

Eligible applicants include state and local governments and any other political subdivision of the state, Native American tribes and Alaska Native Villages. Private non-profit (PNP) organizations who are eligible to apply include educational, utility, emergency, medical, temporary or permanent custodial care facilities, irrigation, museums, zoos, community centers, libraries, and other facilities that provide essential services of a governmental nature to the public.

For more information on President Obama’s declaration, including details on eligibility and the public assistance process, please click here to view the FEMA Public Assistance Fact Sheet.