Updated with additional detail on uses for funding.
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Montgomery County Commission has approved emergency funds of $500,000 to help start addressing damage from flooding in the Farmington subdivision over the April 5 weekend.
The funding will go toward residential homes in Farmington that have been identified by the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency as having “major damage,” and any homes identified by the agency within the next 30 days.
Funding is designed for demolition and removal of damaged material, and for treatments to prevent mold damage. Funding will be in the form of a donation to the nonprofit organization YAIPAK, which will distribute the funds to each home.
‘You are them and they are you’
Commissioner Billy Frye said Farmington is in his district, and while he’s one of the more conservative commissioners when it comes to spending, this situation is different.
“If you haven’t been down to see it, it’s hard to fathom,” Frye said. “If you own a home, if you have insurance, and you don’t have flood insurance, you are them and they are you. Would you need help? You probably would; I know I would.
“This is just the start; this is to clear the debris; this is to get the home so it won’t further deteriorate. I can tell you how important this is having been through some hurricanes in Florida where the water leaks in through the roof and leaks down inside of the drywall and the mold grows quickly. If you don’t stop it and get to where they can recover, it’s going to get worse.”
‘Is half a million dollars going to be enough?’
Commissioner Jeremiah Walker said he supports the effort but asked Mayor Wes Golden if $500,000 is enough.
“With the amount of damage to these homes, is half a million dollars going to be enough or are we going to have to come back and re-address this?” asked Walker.
Golden said the goal is to help residents get over the hump by mitigating the homes so they can get the moisture out and treated, so that they are safer for entry and reconstruction.
“We don’t want the homeowners waiting for TEMA while further damage happens to their house,” Golden said. “Working with some of the local property abatement companies, we’ve been talking with them and the YAIPAK on how they can partner up to get it done. We have disposal companies stepping up as well, so it’s like any disaster we have here in Montgomery County — everybody is coming together to help each other.”
The commission approved the resolution 21-0.
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