The deadline for Chattanooga area residents to apply for FEMA aid for storms in mid-April is June 23. The disaster declaration for the storms makes federal funding available to affected individuals as well state and local recovery efforts in Bradley and Hamilton counties. Individual assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover. Those impacted can begin the application process at disasterassistance.gov and get help by calling 800-621-3362. In addition, the declaration makes funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work as well as repair or replacement of facilities damaged in six other counties: Campbell, Marion, Monroe, Polk, Scott and Washington.

Legal service organizations and bar associations are providing support in response to two federal disaster declarations for tornadoes and severe storms that struck in middle and east Tennessee over the past two months. A toll-free legal assistance hotline (1-844-HELP4TN) is available to support survivors of the disasters and more information about services, including remote legal clinics, is available at www.HELP4TN.org. Volunteers are needed to provide legal information, advice and representation to those affected. Attorneys interested in volunteering should complete this online form. Assistance is also available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration. The deadline for assistance applications related to the March tornadoes is May 4 (possible extension pending) and June 23 for the April storms.

President Donald Trump today issued a disaster declaration freeing up federal assistance for eight Tennessee counties slammed by heavy storms and tornadoes in mid-April, the Times Free Press reports. The president's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals as well state and local recovery efforts in Bradley and Hamilton counties. Individual assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover. Those eligible for assistance can begin the application process at disasterassistance.gov and can get help by calling 800-621-3362. In addition, the declaration makes funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work as well as repair or replacement of facilities damaged in six other counties: Campbell, Marion, Monroe, Polk, Scott and Washington.

After a tornado hit the Chattanooga area late Sunday, local officials say they are now ready for volunteers to help, Nooga.com reports. Those interested in volunteering should fill out this form. To coordinate a large group of volunteers contact Brooke Satterfield. The city also is accepting donations at the Hamilton Family YMCA. Items needed are non-perishable food items, blankets, personal hygiene items, baby items, cleaning supplies, boxes and packing material and storage containers. To give financially, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga has partnered with the United Way of Chattanooga to launch the Tornado Relief Fund, which will go to nonprofits providing immediate and long-term services.

More than a month after a series of deadly tornadoes hit West and Middle Tennessee, the legal community continues to provide support and advice to those affected. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that over 5,000 registrations have been filed by affected Tennesseans, and while on-site Disaster Resource Centers have closed to minimize risks from the COVID-19 virus, applicants can still register online or by phone in advance of the May 4 deadline. Legal assistance is available via multiple remote options, including the toll-free helpline 1-844-HELP4TN (1-844-435-7486), the Tennessee Free Legal Answers online service and remote clinics sponsored by legal aid organizations and bar associations. Information about all of these resources is available at www.HELP4TN.org. Attorneys interested in volunteering to help disaster survivors can complete this online form.

Lawyers in the 15th Judicial District will hold a free phone legal clinic in Wilson County this Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Local attorneys will offer free assistance on legal issues for those affected by the March tornadoes. Those needing assistance may sign up here or call 615-451-1880 to schedule a time.

Gov. Bill Lee announced Monday that $200 million in grants will be distributed across the state to every county and city government for one-time, local expenses, AP News reports. At least $500,000 will be given to each county, and each city or municipality will receive at least $30,000. The grant money can be spent on certain tornado recovery and COVID-19 response costs, road projects, IT upgrades, capital maintenance, utility system upgrades and public safety projects. Lee’s office will begin accepting applications for the grants on April 30.

The state has received a $476,000 federal grant to support the mental health needs of victims of deadly tornadoes that devastated parts of Middle Tennessee earlier this month, WKRN reports. The grant, from FEMA’s Crisis Counseling & Training Program, will support outreach and support services to storm survivors in Davidson, Putnam and Wilson counties. Activities will be coordinated with Centerstone, Mental Health Cooperative and Volunteer Behavioral Health Care System.

Due to property and other damage in the March 3 tornado and concerns over the spread of COVID-19, Davidson County has halted all evictions, the Tennessean reports. The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it would also indefinitely suspend the service of other civil papers. Some proceedings, including orders of protection, child custody orders, emergency mental health orders and papers dealing with protection of elderly or vulnerable persons will still be delivered as normal. 

There are multiple legal clinics coming up to help those impacted by the March tornado. In Wilson County, virtual clinics will be held by phone on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. and on March 28 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Attorneys interested in volunteering should contact Sonya Wright or Tiffany Hagar. The North Nashville Legal Advice Clinic will go on as scheduled on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center, 1035 14th Ave. North. Attorneys interested in volunteering their legal services in person or by phone, should contact Andrae Crismon.