Skip to main content
Friday, November 13, 2026Nov 13
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

FEMA to reevaluate funding for Chattanooga’s tornado-damaged Grace Baptist

Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Construction at the site of Grace Baptist Academy continues in 2022. The school, which was destroyed during the April 2020 tornado, is being hosted by Morris Hill Baptist Church until the campus is rebuilt.
Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Construction at the site of Grace Baptist Academy continues in 2022. The school, which was destroyed during the April 2020 tornado, is being hosted by Morris Hill Baptist Church until the campus is rebuilt. Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Construction at the site of Grace Baptist Academy continues in 2022. The school, which was destroyed during the April 2020 tornado, is being hosted by Morris Hill Baptist Church until the campus is rebuilt.

By Shannon Coan 3 min read

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will revalue the cost to rebuild tornado-damaged Grace Baptist Church and Academy after approving an appeal filed last December by the ministry that sought additional federal assistance.

The decision effectively overturned FEMA’s originally assigned grant of around $30 million, which was less than what the ministry expected, Head of School Matthew Pollock said.

“We were just thrilled that they had taken the evidence we supplied and came to that conclusion,” he said by phone Wednesday.

(READ MORE: Grace Baptist Academy Children’s Center rebuilds after Easter tornadoes)

It’s been more than three years since tornadoes destroyed the East Brainerd complex in April 2020, and Grace Baptist has faced a series of roadblocks in its effort to rebuild the campus.