FEMA, other agencies offer Sevier County help

Feb. 09--Anyone who suffered loss from last November's wildfire in Sevier County has only until Monday, Feb. 13, to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance.

People can apply online at disasterassistance.gov, or call 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 for the hearing-impaired). A list of what information applicants need to have ready is available on the website.

The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at 156 Proffitt Road in Gatlinburg will shut down at 6 p.m. Friday, according to a FEMA news release. But applicants can still get information on their status through the website or by phone.

Starting Monday, FEMA representatives will be available for questions at the U.S. Small Business Administration Business Recovery Center/Disaster Loan Outreach Center at 906 East Parkway in Gatlinburg. That is the former United Way office and current Citizens National Bank building. The center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and will remain in operation through Feb. 27.

The deadline to seek an SBA loan to cover uninsured losses is Sunday. Renters, homeowners and business owners are all eligible for long-term low-interest loans. Applications for loans to cover fire-related loss of business will be taken until Sept. 15.

Applications for SBA disaster loans can be found at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela, requested by email at [email protected], or by phone at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired).

Also, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance will hold a forum Thursday, Feb. 16, to talk about insurance claims from the wildfire. Agency representatives will answer questions and hear complaints from insurance customers affected by the fire, according to a TDCI news release.

It will be held 5-7:30 p.m. at Rocky Top Sports World, 1870 Sports World Blvd., Gatlinburg. TDCI staff can help people file complaints; property owners should bring any paperwork or pictures related to existing claims, according to the news release.

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