Note: The two Disaster Recovery Centers serving Tennesseans after the December 9, 2023 storms and tornadoes are scheduled to cease operations Monday, February 26.
To ask for or give assistance, please visit NashvilleResponds.com. Survivors can request assistance through that website or by calling 211. Local, State, and Federal Disaster Declarations have been declared. #DR-4751-TN
Final confirmed numbers of affected properties:
- Affected: 300 (289 residential, 11 commercial)
- Minor: 387 (363 residential, 24 commercial)
- Major: 129 (111 residential, 18 commercial)
- Destroyed: 45 (33 residential, 12 commercial)
Of these numbers, 65 are commercial properties, and 796 residential properties.
FEMA Tennessee Tornado Recovery Report
Disaster Recovery Centers
The two Disaster Recovery Centers serving Tennesseans after the December 9, 2023 storms and tornadoes are scheduled to cease operations Monday, February 26.
The Disaster Recovery Center aims to offer a wide range of support services to individuals and families affected by the recent storms. FEMA representatives will be available on-site to provide guidance and help survivors navigate the recovery process.
You can meet face to face with personnel from Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) at any Disaster Recovery Center. Translation services available. The DRC is considered a safe space according to FEMA, and immigration enforcement is not allowed.
Locations:
- Nashville State Community College
1520 Gallatin Pike North, Madison
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday - Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library
350 Pageant Lane #501, Clarksville
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Closed Sunday
What a Disaster Recovery Center Has to Offer
- Help with rent or lodging
- Home repair or replacement
- Replacing personal property
- Medical or dental care
- Transportation
- Child care
- Replacing important documents
More resources beyond the options listed above are available along with access to other federal partners.
Supply Distribution Center
A supply distribution center is set up at FiftyForward Madison Station, 530 Madison Station Blvd, Madison, TN 37115. The distribution center includes cleaning and hygiene supplies. Clothes and toys will not be available at this location. Bilingual Spanish language translation services are available at the distribution center. The distribution center will be open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m.-1pm.
Food Assistance
For those needing immediate food resources, Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee has put the following locations into Disaster Response. Those affected by the storm can visit any of these locations as often as needed to keep their household stocked with food.
Christian Cooperative Ministry
201 Madison St.
615-868-6865
Monday and Wednesday 9 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Temple Baptist Church
3720 Kings Lane
615-868-7656
Saturday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Other Types of Assistance
- The U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and other sources. Apply online at SBA.gov/disaster. Loan information and applications can also be obtained by calling 800-659-2955.
- Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 800-985-5990, visit SAMHSA.gov or text TalkWithUs for English or Hablanos for Spanish to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. If American Sign Language (ASL) is your primary or preferred language, use your videophone to call 800-985-5990 or click on "ASL Now" at DisasterDistress.SAMHSA.gov.
- Crisis Cleanup: All requests should go to NashvilleResponds.com.
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance: Apply at Jobs4TN.gov or call 877-813-0950 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday. Application deadline is January 16, 2024.
- Disaster Legal Services Hotline: Call 844-435-7486.
Renters Rights
Even if you rent your home, you have certain legal rights and protections in the aftermath of a disaster. Here are answers to a few common questions renters have when their home or community has been damaged by a natural disaster:
- Can I get out of my lease if my home is damaged? If your lease says you can or if you cannot live in part of your rented home because of damage, you can cancel the lease. If you cannot live in any part of your rental unit, you must give your landlord a written notice that you are canceling your lease. You should also ask in writing a refund of your security deposit and any pre-paid rent from your landlord.
- Can my landlord make me move immediately if I can live in my home? No. If your home is still in livable shape, then normal landlord-tenant laws apply. You cannot be evicted without reason. Your landlord can only evict you if the lease is expired or you break the lease. A landlord can only make you move by giving you a notice telling you to get out by a certain date and then filing a lawsuit after that date. Your landlord may not have to give you notice if you do not pay rent. If your lease is expired, your landlord may be able to force you to move by giving you a 30-day notice. If your landlord locks you out and refuses to give you a key, you can sue to get back in your place.
- Can my landlord make me move so they can make repairs? If you can still live in the home safely, you do not have to move until the lease is over. If you have a written lease, it may cover this problem. If not, your landlord can only make you move if your home is not safe to live in. If the landlord has to move you out to make repairs so that the home will be safe again, the landlord can break your lease. The landlord should give you 14 days to move out. The landlord should also give you back your security deposit and any prepaid rent.
- For additional legal questions about renters rights, you can call 1-844-HELP-4TN for immediate legal advice. To apply for legal assistance, please call Legal Aid Society at 1-800-238-1443 or visit www.las.org for more information.
Beware of Scams
Be prepared to spot and avoid construction fraud or scams. After a disaster is the prime time for unscrupulous contractors and solicitations to buy damaged homes. If you need to hire a professional contractor to make repairs or rebuild your home, here are tips to protect yourself and avoid scams:
- Call 1-800-342-4029 or visit verify.tn.gov to verify that the contractor is licensed and certified by the state.
- Verify the company’s permanent business address is in this area and not from out of state.
- Ask for references before hiring a contractor and check them.
- Ask for proof of the contractor’s general liability insurance. A reputable contractor should be able to show you an insurance certificate. Usually, the insurance carrier can have a copy of the certificate sent directly from their agency, however, this may not be realistic immediately after a disaster.
- Be wary of a contractor who wants full payment before the job begins or will only accept cash payments.
- Be wary of low bids. The lowest bid is not always the best. Do not feel any pressure from the contractor to make an immediate decision. In Tennessee, all jobs should be permitted and inspected. Check with the Metro Codes Department (or other local municipality or county) to verify the contractor submitted the proper permits and inspection requests.
Codes and Permit Information
The Codes Administration is working to ensure that all residents affected by the storm can access necessary information as the rebuilding process begins. All permit applications for new construction, demolition, or rehabilitation related to storm damage will be expedited. All work requiring permits will still be subject to associated building and trades standards and inspections.
Get more information on how to get your permit expedited and how to see a potential waiver of fees on the Codes Department Tornado Damage and Permits Information page.