Biden makes federal funds available for Tennessee counties hit by December storms

President Joe Biden on Friday approved a disaster declaration for Tennessee following severe winter storms, tornadoes and straight-line winds that devastated the region in mid-December.

Severe storms tore through broad swaths of Tennessee from Dec. 10-12. A total of 16 tornadoes touched down in Middle Tennessee, and straight-line winds caused widespread damage and power outages. Eight tornadoes — including an EF-4 and EF-3 — barreled through West Tennessee, killing five people and injuring 10.

Nashville weather radar: Track Winter Storm Izzy, possible snow accumulation

The declaration makes federal funding available to aid 12 counties impacted by the disaster, including:

• Cheatham

• Davidson

• Dickson

• Gibson

• Henderson

• Henry

• Lake

• Obion

• Stewart

• Sumner

• Weakley

• Wilson

More than 20 counties were affected by the storms statewide, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reported.

Biden previously approved an emergency declaration for nine counties on Dec. 13, including Cheatham, Decatur, Dickson, Dyer, Gibson, Lake, Obion, Stewart and Weakley.

“I appreciate the hard recovery work we’ve already accomplished with our local, state, and federal partners,” Gov. Bill Lee stated in a news release Friday. “We will continue working to make sure Tennesseans have every resource necessary for a full, swift recovery.”

Damage assessments are ongoing. FEMA continues to review data to determine whether the counties impacted will be eligible for the Public Assistance program.

Meanwhile, individuals can apply for FEMA's Individual Assistance program.

Friday's declaration opens up multiple forms of aid for impacted residents, including grants for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures throughout Tennessee, according to a Friday news release.

Business owners and individuals affected by the storms in the designated counties can apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362). Assistance is available for hearing and speech impaired individuals at 1-800-462-7585. The telephone numbers are toll free and operate from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time, seven days a week until further notice, according to the release.

Rachel Wegner and Adam Friedman contributed to this report.

Reach reporter Cassandra Stephenson at ckstephenson@tennessean.com or at (731) 694-7261. Follow Cassandra on Twitter at @CStephenson731.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Biden makes funding available for Tennessee after December storms