UPDATE Oct. 10, 2024

Gov. Bill Lee has unveiled the Helene Emergency Assistance Loans (HEAL) Program, a $100 million fund to directly serve the health and well-being of Tennesseans in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Counties eligible for assistance include 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. “Federal dollars will be available later, but these communities need immediate relief. Tennessee’s record of fiscal conservatism has placed us in a strong financial position to make government work for the people and step up to help in this time of need.”

The HEAL Program allocates $35 million to address water and wastewater system damage across eligible counties. These systems experienced extensive damage in most counties and were destroyed in others.

Utilities are central to the health and wellbeing of the Tennesseans living in the affected areas, as well as the first responders and volunteers who are temporarily deployed to help with the rebuilding process. $65 million will be divided equally among eligible economically at-risk and distressed counties to address dangerous debris removal.

Eligible counties may opt-in for the no-interest loans, which are funded by TennCare Shared Savings. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) will distribute funds accordingly.

UPDATE Oct. 7, 2024

The U.S. Department of Labor has provided information on Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), which provides temporary benefits to individuals whose employment — or self-employment — has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster and who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance. Click here to learn more about whether you qualify for this assistance.

UPDATE Oct. 3, 2024

Gov. Bill Lee said today that an expedited Major Disaster Declaration has been granted for Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington. Damage assessments remain in progress and will inform additional requests to be made to the federal government.

The governor also said affected counties have started establishing donation collection centers. Information on these centers can be found on TEMA’s website.

Click here for more details on the multi-agency response to the storm.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Gov. Bill Lee on Friday declared a major disaster and state of emergency because of the severe weather and flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Helene. It temporarily waives certain state regulations to aid in disaster relief. These include allowing out-of-state healthcare workers to help, letting pharmacists refill prescriptions without full authorization, suspending certain insurance and licensing requirements and easing transportation restrictions for emergency supplies. The order also prevents price gouging and offers support for displaced residents. It remains in effect until Nov. 10.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, meanwhile, is posting the latest information about the disaster and recovery efforts here.

Here are some things to keep in mind if your business is disrupted or damaged by the storm:

Once it’s safe, call your insurance company.

At a minimum, you’ll want to ask:

• What types of damage are covered?
• How long will it take to process my claim?
• Will I need to obtain estimates for repairs? 

Make temporary repairs.

While it’s OK to take steps to protect your property from further damage, you should hold off on making extensive permanent repairs until the claims adjuster (a person professionally trained to assess the damage) has visited your business and assessed the damages. Make sure you save receipts for what you spend on repairs.

Prepare for the adjuster’s visits.

The more information you have about your damaged property ––descriptions of as many items as possible, approximate date of purchase and what it would cost to replace or repair them––the faster your claim can be settled.

• To substantiate your loss, prepare an inventory of damaged or destroyed items and give a copy to the adjuster, along with copies of any receipts. Don’t throw out damaged items until the adjuster has visited. You should also consider photographing or videotaping the damage. If your property was destroyed, or you no longer have any records, work from memory.
• Identify structural damage to your business and any supporting structures. Make a list of everything you want to show the adjuster, such as cracks in the walls and missing roof tiles. You should also get the electrical system checked. Most insurance companies pay for these inspections.
• Get written bids from licensed contractors. The bids should include details of the materials to be used and prices on a line-by-line basis. This makes adjusting the claim faster and simpler.
• Keep copies of the lists and other documents you submit to your insurance company. Also, keep copies of whatever paperwork your insurance company gives you and record the names and phone numbers of everyone to whom you speak.

After your claim has been settled and the repair work is underway.

Take the time to re-evaluate your insurance coverage. Was your business adequately insured? Did you have replacement cost coverage for all of your assets? Talk to your insurance agent about possible changes.

Beware of scams.

The state attorney general’s Division of Consumer Affairs reminds Tennesseans to watch for disaster relief scams.

“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,” Attorney General Skrmetti said. “Price gouging and scamming vulnerable people after disasters is not only repulsive, it’s illegal. My office will not hesitate to enforce Tennessee’s consumer protection laws against any bad actor attempting to rip off Tennesseans recovering from the storm.”

Click here to learn more about how to avoid being scammed after a natural disaster.