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Carter County has released its weekly update on disaster assistance resources for residents affected by Hurricane Helene.

Debris Pickup Guidelines

Debris contractors have started cleanup efforts in Carter County. Residents who need debris pickup should email debris@cartercountytn.gov.

Guidelines include:

• Place debris within 10 feet of the road right-of-way.
• Do not place debris in trash bags, as these will not be collected.

For more information, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) has posted Debris Removal Guidelines at TEMA’s website.

Disaster Recovery Centers

Starting Tuesday, Nov. 5, FEMA will open four new Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Johnson, Washington, Carter, and Cocke counties, with support from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

MARC locations in Carter and Cocke counties will transition to DRCs, while Washington County’s MARC will permanently close, with a new DRC opening in a different location.

New DRC locations:

• Carter County: 1749 Highway 19E, Elizabethton
• Cocke County: Cocke County Recreation Department, 466 Learning Road, Newport
• Johnson County: Doe Mountain Recreation Area, 1203 Harbin Hill Road, Mountain City
• Washington County: Cherry Grove Baptist Church, 104 Cherry Grove Road, Jonesborough

DRCs will operate from noon to 7 p.m. on Nov. 5, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays thereafter.

Building Permits for Homeowners

Homeowners needing permits for repairs should:

1. Contact the Carter County Planning Office at 423-542-1834 if in a flood zone.
2. Obtain a building permit at no cost at the Planning Office (300 North Main St., Elizabethton), Monday through Friday, 8-11 a.m.
3. Contact Tony Gouge or Kristin Powell at 423-542-1834 for further guidance if an elevation certificate is required.

FEMA Assistance

Residents in Carter and surrounding counties can apply for FEMA assistance by:

• Visiting www.disasterassistance.gov
• Calling 1-800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.

The deadline to apply for Individual Assistance is Dec. 2, 2024.

Road and Bridge Repairs

Several roads in Upper East Tennessee remain hazardous. Road repair projects in Carter County are underway, with completion dates estimated by Aug. 31, 2025. Motorists are advised to observe all closures and detours.

For details, visit TDOT’s SmartWay website.

FEMA Temporary Housing

Direct Temporary Housing is available for eligible families in affected counties until April 2, 2026. Applications must be submitted by Dec. 2, 2024.

Additional Resources

• Free Legal Help: Call 844-HELP4TN (844-435-7486) for Disaster Legal Services.
• SBA Disaster Loans: Available for affected homes and businesses. Apply online at sba.gov/disaster.
• Well Water Safety: Free test kits are available at DRCs. Visit Tennessee Department of Health for well water safety guidelines.
• Mental Health Support: Call or text 988 for mental health crises support.

For ongoing updates, FEMA news releases, and fact sheets, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4832/news-media.