Tennessee Receives Additional Federal Disaster Assistance for December Tornadoes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the approval of additional federal disaster assistance, making FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program available to nine counties to rebuild, repair, and restore facilities and services impacted by the December 9, 2023, tornado outbreak.

The nine counties eligible for public assistance include Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Gibson, Montgomery, Robertson, Stewart, Sumner, and Weakley.

“TEMA remains focused on ensuring necessary resources are available to help individuals and communities recover from the devastating tornadoes”, said TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan. “FEMA’s Public Assistance program is a valuable resource to communities. These funds will bring much-needed financial relief to impacted jurisdictions.”

A major disaster declaration was awarded on December 13, 2023. This amendment will make federal disaster relief available to eligible jurisdictions and certain private, non-profit organizations in the declared counties.

Information about FEMA's PA program and its reimbursement categories can be found here.

Additionally, registration remains open for individuals in Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Gibson, Montgomery, Stewart, and Sumner counties seeking direct assistance through FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) program. The deadline to apply for individual assistance is Feb. 12, 2024.

Individuals can apply for FEMA’s IA program:

1.      Online at DisasterAssistance.gov;

2.      On the FEMA mobile app;

3.      By phone at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585).

About the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency: TEMA’s mission is to coordinate preparedness, response and recovery from man-made, natural and technological hazards in a professional and efficient manner in concert with our stakeholders. Follow TEMA on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and at tn.gov/tema.

###