Hamilton County may not meet the state’s threshold to qualify for federal disaster assistance after flash floods on Aug. 12 inundated intersections and stranded motorists on Interstate 24.
Damages across Tennessee must total at least $13 million in order to qualify, according to a news release from the county’s Office of Emergency Management. While local assessments documented significant losses for some residents, neighborhoods and businesses, preliminary estimates suggest Hamilton County’s total may fall short of the federal threshold, officials said.
(READ MORE: Chattanooga deluge exceeded Interstate 24 flood standards)
Over the past 10 days, the county’s Office of Emergency Management has worked with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and the cities of Chattanooga and East Ridge to gather damage reports, survey affected areas and support residents navigating the recovery process, the news release said.
The storm has been linked to four deaths in the Chattanooga area, including a family of three that died on South Moore Road early Aug. 13 when a large tree fell on top their SUV. Another man died after firefighters saw him running past safety barricades and yellow tape placed because of flash flooding, according to the Chattanooga Police Department. The man fell into a fast-moving creek and was carried under the roadway through a culvert, police said.
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Early assessments have found about 300 damaged structures, including homes, businesses and other infrastructure, according to the news release.
As the Office of Emergency Management and TEMA continue to receive damage reports, county officials encourage people affected by the storm to connect with local volunteer and nonprofit organizations. Those include:
— Action Church: Call 423-591-7580 and select option three
— American Red Cross: Call 615-519-6368
— Hamilton County Baptist Association: Call 865-396-7751
— Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief: Call 615-371-7926
— United Way of Greater Chattanooga: Dial 211
Those who are insured and lost their vehicles during the flooding can find assistance at tn.gov/commerce/disasters.
— Compiled by David Floyd