FEMA: Many Resources Available for Tennessee Disaster Survivors

NASHVILLE, Tennessee, March 14 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:

One week after the federal disaster declaration, many resources are in place to help Tennesseans recovering from the March 3 tornadoes and severe storms.

Four Disaster Recovery Centers are open in addition to two Mobile Registration Intake Centers. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams have visited more than 2,700 homes in affected communities to provide information about disaster assistance.

As of March 12, households in Davidson, Putnam and Wilson counties have been approved for more than $765,000 in assistance for disaster expenses not covered by insurance to help pay for basic home repairs, temporary rental assistance and other needs such as replacing personal property. This includes more than $593,000 for housing expenses and more than $172,000 for other disaster-related needs.

FEMA has 21 inspectors in the field; they have completed 556 home inspections.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is operating a Business Recovery Center in Davidson County to provide information about disaster loans, answer questions and assist businesses in completing the SBA application.

The IRS announced a two-month filing extension for survivors in Middle Tennessee who qualify for federal disaster assistance. The new deadline to file certain tax returns and make tax payments is July 15, 2020. The IRS says this extension will be activated automatically for everyone, using their tax record addresses, so no additional steps are required currently. Workers or volunteers assisting the recovery effort who need a tax-filing extension should contact the IRS at 866-562-5227. For more information about tax relief, go to irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-in-disaster-situations.

Even before the March 5 major disaster declaration, FEMA deployed personnel to Tennessee to assist with disaster recovery. FEMA currently has more than 300 personnel on the ground.

Survivors in Davidson, Putnam and Wilson counties can register with FEMA in the following ways:

* Visit DisasterAssistance.gov

* Download the FEMA App

* Visit a Disaster Recovery Center

* Call 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Multilingual operators are available. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Deadline to register is May 4, 2020.

Disaster Recovery Center locations:

East Park Community Center, 600 Woodland St., Nashville, TN 37206

Hadley Park Community Center, 1037 28th Ave. North, Nashville, TN 37208

Hermitage Community Center, 3720 James Kay Lane, Hermitage, TN 37076

Hyder-Burks Agricultural Pavilion, 2390 Gainesboro Grade, Cookeville, TN 38501

Mobile Registration Intake Center locations:

Lee Chapel AME Church, 1200 Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Blvd., Nashville, TN 37208 (closes 3 pm, March 14)

Gentry Building, Wilson County Fairgrounds, 945 E. Baddour Pkwy, Lebanon, TN 37087

SBA Business Recovery Center location:

Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church, 2708 Jefferson St., Nashville, TN 37208.

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FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government's primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. For more information, applicants may contact SBA's Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. TTY users may also call 800-877-8339. Applicants may also email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visit SBA at SBA.gov/disaster.