FEMA: Over $24M in recovery grants approved for East TN flood victims

TENNESSEE (WJHL) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that more than $24 million has been approved in grant funding to help victims of Hurricane Helene recover.

A news release from FEMA said more than 14,200 households applied and were approved for $24.4 million in assistance through the agency's Individuals and Households Program.

The program is intended to provide financial assistance to victims who aren't able to meet their disaster-related needs through insurance or otherwise, FEMA said. A current disaster declaration allows victims in the following East Tennessee counties to apply for the program until Jan. 7: Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties.

According to FEMA, $12.5 million of the approved assistance to East Tennesseans represents housing assistance to help homeowners repair or replace property damage that wasn't covered by insurance. Nearly 200 National Flood Insurance Policy claims have been filed in Tennessee, FEMA said.

More than $11.8 million in "other needs assistance" will cover expenses that are disaster-related like medical bills, money to clean and repairing/replacing damaged household items or vehicles.

Flood victims can find information and apply for assistance if they haven't already by visiting a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) or by visiting the official disaster assistance website at DisasterAssistance.gov. FEMA reported that more than 4,300 individuals have visited local DRCs to receive help.