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Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby in an update on flood-related projects in the county reports that repairs to the Broad Street Bridge (SR 67 Bridge over Doe River) are estimated to be completed by August 31, 2025. The project will involve:

– Establishing and maintaining traffic control

– Establishing and maintaining Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control measures

– Repairing bridge

– Pipe extensions and repair

– Grade work, including the construction of rock buttresses to repair wash-out areas

TDOT will do emergency repair of foundations undermined by flooding from Hurricane Helene. It will also shore, protect, and repair the existing bridge structure.

In other road department updates, Mayor Woodby’s office reports that the Carter County Road Department has begun minor road repairs and that larger road repair projects will be let out for bids in the near future.

County Road Dept. Supt. Shannon Burchette reported that he and his department met with FEMA regarding three bridges that are closed – one in Long Hollow and two in Poga.

Replacement and repairs to road signs that were washed away has also begun. 

Burchette reported that the department has also met with USDA Natural Resources to discuss bank stabilization connected with streams. At this time the department is awaiting further instructions on how to proceed. 

In other updates from the Carter County Mayor’s office, Woodby advises homeowners who were impacted by Hurricane Helene to take the following steps to secure a building permit:

– If the home is in a flood zone, contact the Carter County Planning Office at 423-542-1834 to schedule a damage assessment for the home.

– After the damage assessment, homeowners can obtain a building permit at no cost by visiting the Planning Office, located at 300 North Main Street in Elizabethton, between 8-11 a.m., Monday through Friday. Electrical permits will be charged accordingly.

– If a property is in a flood zone, an elevation certificate may be required. To verify property information, homeowners will need to contact Tony Gouge or Kristin Powell in the county’s planning office at 423-542-1834.

Homeowners are advised not to perform any construction, demolition, or improvements until the property has been assessed by the Carter County Planning Office.

FEMA NEEDS RENTAL PROPERTIES

The County Mayor’s office also reports that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is looking for temporary housing for people displaced by Tropical Storm Helene.

The agency is looking for ready-to-occupy units and multifamily lease and repair properties, in which FEMA will cover minor repairs or improvements to multifamily properties to make them ready for housing Helene survivors.

Families may be sheltered temporarily in FEMA Direct Housing properties for up to 18 months, until April 2026, with the possibility of extension. FEMA will cover the security deposit and inspect the home before a tenant moves in and after they move out. FEMA also pays all utility costs, including required fees to a homeowner’s association, and covers any property damage.

Interested property owners or management companies must provide responses and comments on or before Monday, Nov. 25 

HOUSES OF WORSHIP

Mayor Woodby said nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship that were destroyed or damaged when Tropical Storm Helene swept across Eastern Tennessee, have until Friday, Dec. 6, to submit a Request for Public Assistance from FEMA.

– For private nonprofits, including houses of worship, the application process depends on whether a private nonprofit is classified as offering critical services or essential non-critical social services.

– Private nonprofit organizations that provide critical services, such as health care facilities and utilities, can apply directly to FEMA for Public Assistance funding. Other examples of critical services include water, sewer and electrical systems; private schools providing primary or secondary education; or institutions of higher education.

– The deadline to apply for SBA disaster loans for physical property damage is Monday, Dec. 2.

– The deadline to return Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications is July 2, 2025. Private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, should also submit a Request for Public Assistance to FEMA at the same time so they can meet the July 2025 deadline.

– If a house of worship or other nonprofit offering essential non-critical social services is turned down for an SBA loan, or if the loan amount does not cover the cost of all repairs, FEMA may be able to help. FEMA may provide funds to pay for what SBA or insurance does not cover.

Besides houses of worship, other examples of non-critical essential services include educational enrichment activities, supervised care and daycare services, residential services for people with disabilities, assisted living and low-income housing, homeless shelters and rehabilitation service, and community and performing arts centers.

Houses of worship and other nonprofits are encouraged to file an application for Public Assistance, known as a Request for Assistance or RPA, as soon as possible

DEBRIS PICKUP

The mayor’s office noted that debris contractors have begun debris cleanup in the county. Persons who have debris that needs to be picked up can contact the mayor’s office.

Residents are asked to adhere to the following guidelines when preparing debris for pickup.

– Move all debris to the right-of-way, which is 10 feet from the edge of the road (where the state would normally mow).

– Do not put any debris in trash bags, as they will not be collected.