When disaster strikes, it’s important to know what resources are available to you. The State of Tennessee has a comprehensive emergency management and disaster response plan in place to help residents recover from any type of disaster.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is the lead agency for disaster response and recovery in the state. TEMA provides a wide range of resources and assistance to individuals, families, businesses, and communities before, during, and after a disaster.
Some of the resources and assistance available through TEMA include:
• Emergency Alert System: TEMA operates an emergency alert system that can provide timely and accurate information about an impending disaster or emergency situation.
• Emergency Management Plans: TEMA has developed comprehensive emergency management plans for all 95 counties in Tennessee. These plans detail how county governments and other agencies will respond to and recover from a disaster.
• Disaster Recovery Centers: TEMA operates disaster recovery centers (DRCs) in counties across the state. DRCs provide a one-stop shop for disaster survivors to get information about available resources and assistance.
• Individual Assistance: TEMA provides financial assistance to eligible individuals and families who have been affected by a disaster. Assistance may be used to cover expenses such as temporary housing, home repairs, and replacement of essential personal property.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans: TEMA partners with the SBA to provide low-interest disaster loans to eligible small businesses and homeowners.
• Crisis Counseling: TEMA partners with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to provide crisis counseling services to disaster survivors.
If you or your community has been affected by a disaster, TEMA is here to help. For more information about Tennessee’s emergency management and disaster response resources, please visit the TEMA website or call 1-800-626-3170.
Sources:
https://www.tn.gov/tema/emergency-management-resources.html
https://www.tn.gov/tema/about-tema/what-we-do/disaster-response-and-recovery.html