CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – As part of a continuing effort to help Tennesseans rebuild from the December 2023 storms and tornadoes, FEMA is offering free advice on how to rebuild stronger and safer against storms in Montgomery County. FEMA mitigation specialists will answer questions and offer free home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters at this hardware store:

Home Depot, 2630 Wilma Rudolph Blvd., Clarksville

  • 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday-Friday, Jan. 24-26,
  • 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 27
  • 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Tuesday, Jan. 29-30
  • 7 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Jan. 31

Uninsured or underinsured homeowners and renters with damage from the early December storms in the declared counties including: Montgomery, Stewart, Dickson, Cheatham, Davidson, Gibson and Sumner counties have until February 12 to apply for FEMA assistance.

Affected residents can apply for FEMA assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA app, by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, and also at any of the six Disaster Recovery Centers open right now. Servicing the Montgomery area there’s a Disaster Recovery Center located at:

Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library, 350 Pageant Lane #501, Clarksville

  • 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays – Thursdays
  • 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays – Saturdays

At the Disaster Recovery Center applicants can register for FEMA assistance, ask a FEMA specialist questions about their application, receive clarification on letters or information from FEMA, get help uploading documents, and receive help with writing an appeal. Additional Disaster Recovery Centers can be located at fema.gov/drc.

Some types of FEMA assistance can include temporary lodging reimbursement, rental assistance, home repair and replacement, and coverage for other disaster-related expenses such as furniture, moving and storage costs, vehicle repair or replacement, essential home appliances, damaged HVAC and furnace, and medical and dental expenses.

How to apply for FEMA assistance

If you sustained damage or losses from the Dec. 9 tornadoes and live in Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Gibson, Montgomery, Stewart or Sumner County, you may be eligible for financial assistance for temporary lodging, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured disaster-related expenses. Call toll-free 800-621-3362, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, download the FEMA App or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. The phone line is open daily, and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such as VRS, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.

More than $3 million is approved for 1,627 Tennessee households. Deadline for applications is Feb. 12.

FEMA is hiring for disaster recovery in Tennessee

Come to work for FEMA and help your community recover from the December 2023 storms and tornadoes. FEMA is conducting local hiring in a variety of positions to serve in disaster recovery operations. These positions are full-time, up to 120-day appointments that may be extended depending on operational needs. FEMA Local Hire employees are eligible for federal benefits.

How to apply: Apply online through USAJobs.gov. As the disaster operational needs shift, new positions will be posted on USAJobs. Candidates can be notified when FEMA Local Hire positions post. You can save a search to help you look for jobs in your area of interest through USAJobs. For instructions, please visit: USAJOBS Help Center | How to save a search.

Understanding your letter from FEMA

After you apply for assistance, you will receive a letter or email from FEMA. The letter will explain your application status and how to respond. It is important to read the letter fully because it will include the amount of any assistance FEMA may provide and information on the appropriate use of disaster assistance funds. You may need to submit additional information or supporting documentation for FEMA to continue to process an application for financial assistance. Examples of missing documentation may include proof of insurance coverage, settlement of insurance claims, proof of identity, proof of occupancy, proof of ownership or proof that the damaged property was
your primary residence at the time of the disaster. If you have questions about the letter, visit a Disaster Recovery Center or call FEMA at 800-621-3362.

SBA Disaster Loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 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. If FEMA refers you to the SBA, it is important to submit the disaster loan application. If approved, you do not have to accept a loan but failure to submit the application may disqualify you from other possible financial assistance from FEMA and the state of Tennessee. SBA is operating Business Recovery Centers at Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission and Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Other types of assistance

  • 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.
  • 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 Jan. 29 for Cheatham, Gibson and Stewart counties.
  • Disaster legal services hotline: Call 844-435-7486
  • See updates from Tennessee Emergency Management Agency at facebook.com/TennesseeEMA