Volunteer State News

Governor Bill Lee has announced the creation of the Helene Emergency Assistance Loans (HEAL) Program, totaling $100 million, to aid Tennesseans in recovering from Hurricane Helene. Twelve counties are eligible for aid, including Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington.

"Hurricane Helene was an unprecedented disaster for Tennessee, and many local communities don't have the resources to recover on their own," said Gov. Lee as he emphasized the need for immediate relief. He also highlighted Tennessee's financial preparedness that allows the state government to support its residents in this emergency.

The HEAL Program will allocate $35 million for repairing water and wastewater systems, many of which were extensively damaged or destroyed across the affected counties. The remaining $65 million will be used for debris removal in economically at-risk and distressed counties. Funds for the no-interest loans come from TennCare Shared Savings and will be distributed by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA).

On Oct. 3, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor provided information on Disaster Unemployment Assistance available for those who lost employment due to the disaster.

Gov. Lee announced on Oct. 3 that an expedited Major Disaster Declaration was granted for several counties including Carter and Washington, with ongoing damage assessments to determine further federal assistance. He also mentioned the establishment of donation collection centers in the affected areas.

In an original emergency declaration in late September, Gov. Lee declared a major disaster and state of emergency, which included temporarily waiving certain state regulations to facilitate disaster relief. Measures were implemented to prevent price gouging and support displaced residents, effective until November 10.

Attorney General Skrmetti warned against disaster relief scams, emphasizing the legal repercussions for those exploiting Tennesseans during this time. "While most Tennesseans are showing the best of the Volunteer spirit to our neighbors devastated by Helene, a few bad actors always slime out of the woodwork to take advantage of those in need," he stated. Further information on avoiding scams can be accessed through official channels.

Further details on the multi-agency response to the storm and business recovery guidelines, including insurance claim processes and scam prevention tips, are available from state resources.