Tennessee Residents and Businesses Must Apply to FEMA / SBA for Flood and Tornado Damages by Next Week

NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Disaster Updates (http://www.DisasterUpdates.com), a disaster news site, urges all Tennessee individuals and businesses in federally declared disaster counties to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as soon as possible for damages from the severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes occurring April 30 - May 18.

Those eligible to register include homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profits in Benton, Cannon, Carroll, Cheatham, Chester, Clay, Crockett, Davidson, Decatur, DeKalb, Dickson, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Giles, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lewis, Macon, Madison, Marshall, Maury, McNairy, Montgomery, Obion, Perry, Robertson, Rutherford, Shelby, Smith, Stewart, Sumner, Tipton, Trousdale, Wayne, Williamson and Wilson counties who suffered property damages or were otherwise affected by the severe weather outbreak.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover property damages, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

FEMA assistance does not count against or affect several federal and state programs, such as Social Security or Supplemental Security income benefits, Medicare, food stamps, and Tennessee's Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).

Calling FEMA is the first step in the recovery process as FEMA will determine which disaster programs are appropriate for each caller.

"Don't listen to your friends or neighbors to determine your eligibility for disaster assistance," said Dave Miller, spokesperson for Disaster Updates. "Everyone's situation is unique ... so call FEMA and let FEMA decide if you are eligible for any disaster help."

Mr. Miller added, "You should not wait on insurance, damage estimates, or repairs before calling FEMA. The deadline for FEMA registration is fast approaching. If you miss the deadline, you miss your chance for help you could have received."

Individuals and businesses who suffered damages may register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362 or go online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov.

Small Business Administration (SBA) loans are the largest source of disaster funds to repair or replace damaged property.

If those with property damage receive a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan application, they must complete and return it by the same August 5 deadline to ensure they are considered for all forms of assistance.

Follow the recovery in Tennessee online at http://www.twitter.com/t_e_m_a, http://www.twitter.com/fema, http://www.facebook.com/TNDisasterInfo, http://www.youtube.com/fema and http://www.flickr.com/photos/t_e_m_a.

FEMA and SBA contact information can be reviewed anytime at DisasterUpdates.com along with information on disaster preparedness, recovery and mitigation.

Disaster Updates (http://www.DisasterUpdates.com) is a disaster information portal that provides one-stop access for disaster news, resources and FEMA help 24/7. Disaster Updates was designed by a disaster expert with over 20 years of disaster experience. His disaster work includes such major disasters as Hurricane Katrina, the Northridge Earthquake and the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

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SOURCE Disaster Updates