NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Federal Highway Administration is offering immediate availability of $10 million to help repair roads damaged by flooding and landslides in Tennessee.
Raw Video: Highway 70N in Hawkins County. This will be a long term road closure. TDOT Geotechnical Engineers are assessing the slope, which is considered to be unstable at this time. pic.twitter.com/l9GncNTEbi
— Mark Nagi (@MarkNagiTDOT) February 21, 2019
The U.S. Transportation Department said the “quick release” Emergency Relief funds were approved soon after the Tennessee Transportation Department requested them.
The federal agency said in a news release that the funds will be used to pay for repairs to restore essential traffic and prevent additional damage at locations affected by severe flooding and mudslides.
The release said Tennessee broke its precipitation record with more than 20 inches of rain in February. The rainfall damaged highways in 72 counties throughout the state.
The release said total damage is estimated at $75 million. The emergency funds are for short-term repairs while the state continues damage assessments for long-term repairs.