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By Robert Sorrell

Star Correspondent

Three weeks after Hurricane Helene swept through the region, the Carter County Commission continues to discuss relief efforts.

Representatives from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, including TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan, and Federal Emergency Management Agency spoke during Monday’s commission meeting at the Carter County Courthouse. The three individuals answered several questions from commissioners.

The representatives explained the differences between individual assistance and public assistance. Local residents affected by the disaster are asked to register and submit an application for FEMA individual assistance. Aide can solely be used by survivor households, said FEMA coordinating officer Darryl Dragoo.

To apply, residents have been advised to go online to disasterassistance.gov, call 1-800-621-3362 or visit the Multi-Agency Resource Center, which has an office in Elizabethton on U.S. Highway 19E.

The officials noted that residents who receive a denial letter should keep their letters and contact FEMA to see what is still needed to be approved for assistance. After acceptance, it usually takes about seven days to get funds, they said.

In addition, the officials noted that FEMA will cover things that are not covered by insurance and will require documentation.

Public assistance applies to local governments, communities and taxing districts, and can be used for schools, fire departments and other government departments, Dragoo said. Funds can be used to reimburse road and public building construction costs.

For housing needs, there is currently a request for FEMA trailers in the process, but it may take some time for it to be approved, according to the representatives.

The commission approved a motion to create two temporary positions related to disaster relief efforts. One of the positions will be in the finance department and the other one will be at the county’s emergency management office.

Commissioner Aaron Frazier’s motion called to fund $29,000 for an EMA position and $47,000 for a finance department position. The temporary positions will help the two departments with disaster relief efforts, particularly documentation related to the disaster.

There was some debate among commissioners about whether to defer the plan to determine whether FEMA will reimburse the county, but a contractor hired to assist the county with such matters said the disaster-related positions can be covered and offered to provide proof from FEMA documents.

Commissioners Lesley Hughes and Todd Smith said the commissioners should listen to the hired contractor’s advice and move forward with the positions, which will help the busy finance and emergency management departments.