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By Buzz Trexler

Star Correspondent

One month after the remnants of Hurricane Helene roared through Northeast Tennessee as a strong tropical storm, more than 2,300 Carter County households have applied for individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

As of Sunday, the number of households who’ve applied for assistance in all eight designated counties in the state was more than 11,000. “ However, FEMA representative Rick Brewer said, “As far as FEMA’s Public Assistance Program is concerned, it’s still very early in that process.”

FEMA’s website explains that the program provides supplemental grants to state, tribal, territorial, and local governments, and certain types of private non-profits so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. In the wake of a disaster such as Helene, communities need help to cover their costs for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, and restoring public infrastructure. The agency also encourages protecting these damaged facilities from future events by providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures during the recovery process.

When asked about the greatest obstacle federal workers have faced in the disaster-relief effort, Brewer responded, “Rumors/misconceptions/misunderstandings about what FEMA does and doesn’t do and the types of assistance we offer,” Rick Brewer, a FEMA representative, said in a recent email. 

FEMA’s website addresses some of the rumors on its website:

– There are no “FEMA camps” where federal officials are detaining people, nor are Federal Emergency Management Agency responders being prioritized over survivors.

– Neither has FEMA pulled out of North Carolina due to threats nor is the agency preventing residents and companies from removing debris in the affected areas. 

– Another false statement making the rounds: FEMA will only provide $750 to disaster survivors.

“There’s still some misinformation out there,” Brewer said in a phone call on Monday, “but it’s quieted down a little bit.”

The FEMA representative said the agency has about 15 specialists in the county going door-to-door to register households impacted by the tropical storm, as well as registering households at the state’s Multi-Agency Resource Center in Elizabethton. 

Brewer encourages those impacted by the storm to apply for individual assistance before the Dec. 2 deadline. “We’re here to help those that qualify get a jump on their recovery,” Brewer said. 

One month after Hurricane Helene rolled through the Gulf Coast and into Appalachia, $883 million in individual assistance and more than $524 million in public assistance has been granted, according to the agency’s website. While over 5.1 million households lost power due to the storm, FEMA says power has been restored to 99 percent of those households. Furthermore, the agency says, over 98 percent of cellular sites have been restored. More than 11,400 households have participated in transitional sheltering assistance.

The FEMA assistance is in the form of non-taxable grants that, in most cases, do not have to be paid back unless you receive duplicate benefits from insurance or a grant from another source. Those who qualify for FEMA assistance may first receive money for essential items like water, food, infant formula, medical supplies, and more. Applications are assessed to determine if other forms of assistance are available. The agency suggests that even if there is uncertainty about what FEMA will cover, storm survivors should take as many photos as possible of damages to your house and property, and take time to apply for assistance. 

There are several forms of aid beyond special needs assistance, including home repair or replacement, rental assistance, accessibility needs, displacement, personal property, childcare, medical/dental help, and moving and storage expenses. FEMA can also assist with transportation needs and, if the only access to your home has sustained disaster-related damage, you could receive money for repairs to privately owned roads, bridges, or docks.

Carter Countians needing assistance can apply online at disasterassistance.gov, by phone at 800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and midnight, or download the FEMA app. There is also a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) at 1749 U.S. 19E, open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.