NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — We don't want to forget our neighbors in Northeast Tennessee, after the devastating flooding that took place in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
We are getting updates from FEMA regularly on what recovery efforts are underway — the latest one is from Monday, October 14. Here's what we know.
The Tennessee Department of Human Services is officially offering Disaster Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits to households in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties.
Pre-registration is open until Thursday Oct. 16 at 4:30 p.m. ET, all you have to do is visit the One DHS Customer Portal. After that, applications will open up again Oct. 21 through 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday, October 25, 2024.
The number of deaths still sits at 17, two in Cocke County, one in Greene County, one in Knox County, one in Johnson County, eight in Unicoi County and four in Washington County.
Water and wastewater are still having significant issues in many areas, with 17 drinking water facilities reporting issues as of October 14. Ten out of those 17 facilities issued a boil water advisory.
There are a myriad of active emergency groups working to help Tennessee recover — Emergency Services Coordinators (ESCs) from TDOT, TDCI, TDH, THP, TN Department of Human Services, TN Department of Military, according to FEMA's report.
If you or a loved one doesn't know where to look for help yet, the website to check back into is Tennessee Emergency Management Agency's page, where you can find phone numbers, applications for relief funds, volunteering, and more.
Do you have more information about this that you can share with me? You can email me at hannah.urban@newschannel5.com.
It's truly the small things that add up to a great day - and Warrick in Lebanon is having a big impact. His familiar face is becoming a staple in one part of the community and inspiring closer connection in the simplest way. Enjoy his warm personality! You may even feel inclined to wave to a stranger today, too.
-Rebecca Schleicher
