Dresden, Tenn.–Tennessee, Weakley County, and City of Dresden officials are anxiously awaiting the signing of a Disaster Declaration by President Joe Biden in order to transition into the cleanup and recovery phases of a disaster.
Nine Tennessee counties were in the Tennessee Disaster application submitted to FEMA this past week. The counties included in the application include Cheatham, Decatur, Dickson, Dyer, Gibson, Lake, Obion, Stewart, and Weakley counties. All nine counties received significant damage in the December 10-11 tornado outbeak.
Tennessee is requesting that the debris cleanup part of the public assistance be awarded as well as individual assistance in each Individual Assistance (IA) category that is applicable to the nine Tennessee counties.
Thus far, only Category B, for emergency protective measures, has been approved by Presidential declaration. A declaration has not been made for debris removal or for other categories such as funding for public buildings and contents replacement, public utilities or even for assistance to individuals to assist in recovery.
Dresden and Weakley County quickly worked through the emergency response phase and has made great headway into the cleanup and recovery phase and has been described to be well ahead of most cities typically at this point following such a catastrophic event such as the December 10 tornado.
Dresden Mayor Jeff Washburn said, “I am disappointed that the Disaster Declaration has not proceeded faster, but I am not particularly surprised considering the number of counties involved in the application and the number of pre-requisites that must be completed prior to the submission of an application to the President.”
Once the Disaster Declaration for the debris removal is approved, Washburn said, “we can begin work in earnest to get lots cleaned up and the remainder of the construction debris hauled to a landfill with FEMA providing coordination and picking up the tab. FEMA will also provide assistance with demolition costs after the owner’s insurance has paid the maximum allowed under the policy. Insurance payment is normally a prerequisite for all forms of FEMA assistance. Those without insurance or underinsured individuals will be eligible for assistance as well.”
The debris cleanup assistance will only be available for a period of six months from the date of the declaration. For this reason, it is important that property owners begin to prepare for this phase beginning quickly should the President sign the declaration.
Other forms of FEMA assistance will have a time limit of 18 months according to the FEMA website.
Photo by Bobby Goode.