Dresden, Tenn.–On Wednesday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) completed an assessment of tornado related damage to structures in Dresden and Weakley County.
FEMA in its assessment determined there were 187 residential structures and 21 businesses damaged or destoyed as a result of the Friday, December 10 tornado. Destroyed structures included the Dresden City Hall, Fire Department and churches.
The agency has not released a determination relative to the degree of damage to each structure as yet.
Dresden Mayor Jeff Washburn said, “The agency is further working to complete a total estimated dollar value of the damage caused by the tornado. All of this information will be utilized in FEMA deciding whether or not to recommend to the President that a Disaster Declaration be issued for Weakley County. If a Disaster Declaration is issued, federal dollars will be available to assist home and business owners as well as individuals displaced as a result of the tornado.”
Without the Declaration, there will be few funds available to individuals or property owners.
The Declaration will also be helpful for businesses to obtain low interest rate SBA loans to rebuild and reopen.
Photo by April Lieberman.