Governor Phil Bredesen announced today the federal government has authorized a major disaster declaration for 17 additional Tennessee counties, bringing the total number of counties declared to 27. This action makes federal assistance available to individuals in Carroll, Crockett, Decatur, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Haywood, Henderson, Houston, Madison, Obion, Benton, Dickson, Humphreys, Maury, Sumner and Rutherford counties.

Governor Bredesen asked President Obama on Monday to declare 52 counties federal disaster areas following the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that struck the state over the weekend.

Twenty-one counties have received declarations to date. In addition to the 11 announced today, counties previously authorized include Cheatham, Davidson, Dyer, Hickman, McNairy, Montgomery, Perry, Shelby, Tipton and Williamson.

“We can see President Obama and other federal officials continue to move quickly to process our requests and announce declarations for more counties,” said Governor Bredesen. “I expect us to continue to see additional counties authorized for federal assistance as the damage assessments continue, which will be tremendously helpful to Tennesseans who suffered losses as they work to rebuild.”

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance immediately by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-800-621-FEMA      end_of_the_skype_highlighting (3362).

Tennessee suffered 21 confirmed fatalities as a result of the extreme weather and flooding that struck the state April 30-May 2. Numerous evacuations and water rescues were performed as flood waters rose. Many residents lost all of their possessions as homes were destroyed or sustained major damages.

FEMA has been working to help Tennessee since before the weekend’s storms ended, sending a liaison officer to the state on Sunday and opening its regional coordination center in Atlanta to provide support to ongoing operations in Tennessee, it was stated. FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, who also visited the state on Monday, today makes his second trip to Tennessee since the flooding began. He will be joined by Red Cross Senior Vice President for Disaster Services Joe Becker. Governor Bredesen has also toured multiple areas of the state this week with federal, state and local officials.

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties authorized to date, including both individual and public assistance.

Individual assistance can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Public assistance is also available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures only at this time. In addition, federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.