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Tornado injures 20 in McMinn County
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee's governor has sent a request to President Barack Obama to expedite a major disaster declaration for five of the state's counties to aid in recovery from wildfires and severe storms.
The counties included in Gov. Bill Haslam's declaration request are Coffee, McMinn, Polk, Sequatchie and Sevier.
Haslam says his goal is to help ensure those counties get the federal assistance needed to rebuild from the disasters.
A presidential disaster declaration could help the five counties with costs for debris removal, emergency protective measures and rebuilding and repairing roads, bridges, buildings, water control facilities, utilities and recreational facilities.
It might also help qualifying individuals with direct assistance.
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Great Smoky Mountains wildfires
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Devastating Gatlinburg fires
Emergency management officials warn of Sevier County fire recovery scams President Obama signs disaster declaration to aid Sevier County Gatlinburg firefighting team may head home soon [videos] 2016 wildfire season one for the books; officials say it's too soon to say it's over [video] Governor seeks quick action on disaster request for Tennessee [photos] Did Sevier County's lax building codes help fire spread? Chapel of Love lost to fire that ravaged Gatlinburg Card games raise cash for fire victims Teens charged in fatal Gatlinburg wildfire were playing with matches Tourists stream back to Gatlinburg, but rebuilding looms Two juveniles arrested, charged in deadly Gatlinburg wildfires Businesses that survived the Gatlinburg wildfire are reopening Gatlinburg wildfires death toll climbs to 14; officials estimate 1,684 structures damaged or destroyed Officials defend controversial timing of evacuation warnings sent after blaze reached Gatlinburg [videos] Cars line up to see wildfire-ravaged Tennessee city; 13 dead During first look at wildfire rubble, residents in a daze Haslam heading to wildfire-ravaged Gatlinburg today Death toll from Tennessee wildfires increases to 13 Search continues for any survivors of wildfires Dollywood Foundation to donate $1,000 per month to fire victims More than 70 area firefighters helped fight massive fires in Gatlinburg University of Tennessee professor predicted Gatlinburg fire for years Chattanooga firefighters drive 150 miles to answer Gatlinburg's call for aid as blaze rages Dolly Parton heartbroken by wildfires torching her hometown Deadly, destructive wildfires ravage Tennessee tourism town Tennessee mayor confirms 3 deaths in wildfires Wildfires scorch tourist area in Tennessee; thousands flee Video: Two men navigate horrifying Gatlinburg mountain fire Rhea County students safe after wildfires force evacuation Chattanooga firefighters drive 150 miles to answer Gatlinburg's call for aid as blaze rages The Latest: Officials say thousands evacuated, 4 injured Gatlinburg aquarium workers worried about animals left behind after wildfire forces evacuation Gatlinburg, Tenn., hotels, homes destroyed in fires Wildfires lead to evacuation of downtown Gatlinburg, Tenn.
This story was updated Dec. 12 at 11:50 p.m.
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