TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Oct 10, 2024

Gov. Bill Lee has unveiled the Helene Emergency Assistance Loans (HEAL) Program, a $100 million fund to directly serve the health and well-being of Tennesseans in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Counties eligible for assistance include Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington. “Hurricane Helene was an unprecedented disaster for Tennessee, and many local communities don’t have the resources to recover on their own,” Lee said. “Federal dollars will be available later, but these communities need immediate relief. Tennessee’s record of fiscal conservatism has placed us in a strong financial position to make government work for the people and step up to help in this time of need.” Of the total amount, $35 million is available to address water and wastewater system damage, while $65 million is available for dangerous debris removal.