Hurricane Helene

Resources for Tennesseans Impacted By Hurricane Helene

Click here to learn more about Hurricane Helene’s impact on Tennessee.

Missing Individals

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has established a hotline for individuals needing to report a missing person in the ongoing East Tennessee flood emergency: 1-800-TBI-FIND.
To report a missing child during a disaster, please also contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, which operates the National Emergency Child Locator Center, at 1-800-843-5678.

Property Damage

If homeowners are facing an emergency, they should dial 911. For cleanup help, they can call (844) 965-1386.
If homeowners have suffered property damage, they should document and take photos of their damages prior to cleanup efforts for insurance purposes.
Tennesseans living in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties may be eligible for Individual Assistance (IA) through FEMA.

Individuals in the declared counties can now apply for direct assistance through FEMA’s IA program online anytime or by phone at 1-800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. CDT. Multilingual operators are available.
Those eligible for FEMA’s IA program may receive help with rental assistance, home repair, and personal property replacement, in addition to other uninsured or underinsured disaster losses. More information on FEMA’s IA program can be found here.

As FEMA is able to get on the ground and survey the damage, additional assistance may become available for Tennesseans in impacted counties.

You can learn more here about FEMA’s response to Hurricane Helene and about programs that may become available for individuals and households here.

Shelters

Road Conditions

Click here for the most up-to-date information about road closures due to Hurricane Helene.

Utility Services

Mortgage Relief

If you’re a homeowner or renter impacted by the storm, Fannie Mae’s media release outlines the mortgage relief and disaster assistance options that will be available to impacted single-family borrowers in the wake of this hurricane as well as renter resources, including how to access Fannie Mae’s disaster recovery counseling, free of charge.

Information about filing a claim with homeowners insurance following a natural disaster is also available.

Small Business Administration (SBA)

SBA disaster assistance is available to homeowners, renters, nonprofits, and businesses of all sizes affected by Hurricane Helene.

In Tennessee, disaster loans are available in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Sevier, and Unicoi counties.

Home Disaster Loans: Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.
Business Physical Disaster Loans: Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development

If your job was impacted by the flooding in East Tennessee, you can apply for state unemployment now while Tennessee awaits approval of Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

Avoiding Scams

While many people seek to help during times of disaster, unfortunately, there is also an increased risk for scams and fraud. Watch out for upfront fees from individuals claiming to provide services, benefits, or loans.

The Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs can be reached at (615) 741-4737 or online.

Reporting Misconduct

The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance licenses many of the professionals who play a role in rebuilding, including contractors, home inspectors, and insurance agents, among others.
If you witness unlicensed activity or other potential violations of laws and rules, click here.

Volunteers Seeking to Help

TEMA has designated the Bristol Motor Speedway as the Northeast Tennessee Disaster Relief Center. This center will serve as a home base for recovery efforts and a major distribution center in the aftermath of the devastating floods. They will be operating from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. This center does not replace the donation centers that have been established by counties. For a list of known centers and goods requested by counties, visit TEMA’s website.
Click here for information on how you can help.

Emotional Support

Call 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471) to speak with a caring, trained mental health professional, 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week, if you are experiencing a mental health emergency.

Price Gouging

To file a complaint about price gouging with the Tennessee Divison of Consumer Affairs, call (615) 741-4737 or email consumer.affairs@ag.tn.gov.

Additional Resources

Click here for additional disaster recovery resources.
You can find a full guide to all the resources that may be available to you here.

How Our Office Can Help

Our office is standing by to assist you with any questions or assistance you may need from a federal agency, including FEMA. You can learn more and contact us here.
* Please note: for issues you may have with state agencies or programs that fall under the jurisdiction of the State of Tennessee, please contact your state legislator. You can find your local legislator here.