Archive for the ‘Disaster Relief’ Category

Tornado roundtable focuses on technology

Monday, June 8th, 2009

The Daily News Journal reported today on a tornado roundtable hosted by elected officials.

U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Murfreesboro, was among the politicians who called for the tornado roundtable discussion, which included Nashville T.V. meteorologists and his fellow House Science and Technology Committee member Lincoln Davis.

The congressman pointed out early in the discussion that the number of tornadoes in Tennessee have increased over the past several years.

“Our state [Tennessee] has led the nation in tornado fatalities over the past 10 years, but we do have the weapon of technology” he stated. “A better understanding of why tornadoes form and better ways to detect them will increase warning times, decrease false alarms, and in turn reduce tornado injuries and deaths.”

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Rutherford County receives federal disaster declaration

Friday, May 15th, 2009

A federal disaster declaration requested by Gov. Phil Bredesen for Rutherford County has been approved providing reimbursements  for local government bodies and public utilities from Public Assistance Program funds .

“Federal disaster assistance will help lessen the burden on local governments in these four counties,” said Bredesen. “I appreciate President Obama’s approval of these disaster declarations to help speed the recovery from the April 10 storms that struck Tennessee.”

As in previous disasters, the state will provide half of the local share of matching funds required by the federal reimbursement program. The total amount will be 12.5 percent of the total cost incurred by local governments. Utility companies are required to provide the full 25 percent match for federal funds.

Gov. Bredesen’s request for a disaster declaration from the federal government’s Small Business Administration in April was quickly granted. The declaration paved the way for low interest subsidized loans to help families and small businesses recover from damage caused by the tornado.

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Middle TN congressional delegation asks for President Barack Obama’s help

Monday, May 4th, 2009

The Daily News Journal reports on the bi-partisan effort to secure a disaster declaration from President Barack Obama for Murfreesboro, TN following the Good Friday tornado.

U.S. Republican Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker and Democratic U.S. Reps. Bart Gordon, D-Murfreesboro, Jimmy Duncan, Lincoln Davis and John Tanner have joined Gov. Phil Bredesen in requesting that President Obama issue a federal disaster declaration for four counties in Tennessee to help state and local governments recover costs for damages related to recent storms.

According to their letter to President Obama, “On April 10, 2009, high winds – including tornadoes – struck several counties in our state, causing significant damage in Rutherford, McMinn, Sequatchie and Benton Counties. These disasters have placed a significant burden on state and local governments because of recovery costs. Therefore, we respectfully request that you make assistance available to these counties in accordance with the Governor’s request.”

With a disaster declaration, federal funds will cover 75 percent of the cleanup costs.

The Congressional delegation effort follows Gov. Bredesen’s own request for the declaration.

Gov. Phil Bredesen has asked President Obama to declare Rutherford, McMinn, Sequatchie and Benton Counties as federal disaster areas following the severe weather, high-winds and tornadoes that struck those counties on April 10.

Should this request for public assistance be granted, the federal program will help covers emergency response and recovery costs incurred by state and local governments.

Gov. Bredesen’s request for a disaster declaration was quickly granted from the federal government’s Small Business Administration. The declaration paves the way for low interest subsidized loans to help families and small businesses recover from damage caused by the tornado.

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Disaster declaration paves way for federal assistance

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

Gov. Bredesen’s request for a Disaster Declaration was quickly granted from the federal government’s Small Business Administration this week. The declaration paves the way for low interest subsidized loans to help families and small businesses recover from the Good Friday tornado.

The administration will have several staff members setting up a temporary office at the Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency office at 1220 W. College St., said Jay MacKenna, a public information officer for the federalgovernment service.

Hours will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and the following week May 4-7. The office will also be open from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 2.

Those wanting phone assistance or more information can call the administration at 800-659-2955 or visit the www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

Tornado victims can also apply for a loan online through a secure Web site: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

Posted in Business, Disaster Relief, Public Safety | No Comments »

A letter from Rep. Bart Gordon (D-6)

Sunday, April 19th, 2009

tornadoaerials

Here is a letter to the community from Rep. Bart Gordon on what he saw when touring the community after the Good Friday tornado.

As I visited with friends and neighbors affected by the April 10th tornadoes, I was struck by the well-organized emergency response.

Immediately, emergency workers — city, county, MTSU and the Tennessee Highway Patrol — cared for the injured, closed off streets and secured neighborhoods. Their watch continues today, with officers pulling 12-hour shifts. Right away, Emergency Medical Services workers went door to door, checking on people throughout the community.

By Saturday morning, city and county trucks were hauling off debris to the landfill, which stayed open during the weekend, and clearing streets to make them passable as quickly as possible. Like the police and EMS, their efforts began immediately.

Power lines that were strewn across streets off of poles that had fallen or snapped were repaired by Murfreesboro and Middle Tennessee electric department workers who have labored night and day since that Friday afternoon. Power was restored to thousands of residents within hours and to everyone by Sunday.

One homeowner on Tomahawk Trace, who was fortunate to only sustain damage to her roof, remarked that a church group showed up at 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning and by that afternoon had moved all the broken trees on her lot to the curb. Her story is echoed by many others. Local church groups, the Red Cross and volunteers here and outside of Rutherford County, some even outside the state, were quick to help storm victims.

I want to thank everyone involved in the storm’s emergency and recovery operations for their quick and well-organized response and to recognize the ongoing cleanup effort. You are an important reason why I have always been proud to call Murfreesboro my home.

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Murfreesboro tornado damage estimates rise

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

The Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency increased their Murfreesboro tornado damage estimates today and outlined the volume of work to be done to clean up our community.

The new estimates stress the need for volunteers for the Tornado Relief Service Day called by the Tennessee Democratic Party. It was originally scheduled for April 18, but the Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency changed the date to Saturday April 25 citing utility line safety concerns.

The Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency is releasing new damage and cost report estimates concerning the storms that hit Rutherford County on April, 10, 2009.

There are currently 818 homes damaged by the EF4 tornado with 111 of those homes completely destroyed. 290 homes have major damage and 164 have minor damage. Two hundred thirty five more homes were directly affected in some way from the tornados. The estimated cost to businesses and residents is currently placed at $40.2 million dollars. These estimates may be updated through the week.

Agents of FEMA’s Individual Assistance and Public Assistance Teams and the Small Business Administration are in the area doing assessments of the damage. They met today with all County and City officials to obtain preliminary estimates of the storms rescue and relief efforts. They will continue assessments for the next several days.

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Rutherford County Disaster Relief - Saturday April 25

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

IMPORTANT NOTE (April 23, 2009): The tornado clean-up schedule for April 25, 2009 has been canceled due to an overwhelming response from over 3,000 volunteers. Individuals who are interested in volunteering may call 615-890-1934. Thanks!

IMPORTANT NOTE: This volunteer opportunity was originally scheduled for April 18, but the Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency changed the date to Saturday April 25 citing utility line safety concerns. The title of this post has been changed. Below is the original post.

If you would like to help those affected by the deadly Good Friday tornadoes here in Murfreesboro, save the date Saturday April 18. Click here to RSVP. Check back for specific time and location. Below is a message from the TNDP Chair Chip Forrester:

As you know, four tornadoes hit Rutherford County on Friday, April 10 leaving a trail of devastation and destruction. We have received calls and emails from Democrats across the state wanting to know what they could do to help. As a result, the TNDP has set up a Tornado Relief Service Day on Saturday, April 18. This is the day that the Rutherford County Emergency Management Agency has identified as the major cleanup day. We will receive information on the location and exact times later this week (plan on beginning early in the morning and working until late afternoon), but we wanted to let you know that we need your help.

If you would join in this effort, please go to the “Rutherford County Disaster Relief” event page to RSVP that you will attend, and you will receive up-to-date information on the location and meeting time as it becomes available.

If you are unable to attend but would like to help out, you can contribute to the American Red Cross “Heart of Middle Tennessee” Chapter in Murfreesboro.

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Rep. Bart Gordon tours storm damage, meets with victims

Friday, April 10th, 2009

bartgordon1U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon quickly responded to the devastating tornadoes that struck Rutherford County today:

“Today, I surveyed many of the tornado-struck areas in Murfreesboro. The damage is extensive and I have contacted the White House to convey the situation on the ground to President Obama.

“I also informed the White House that Gov. Bredesen may soon request federal disaster assistance for the affected areas. I have also sent a formal letter to the President, urging a quick response.

“I have spoken with local officials to let them know I stand ready to help the residents of my hometown rebuild their lives and restore their communities.

“Right now, my thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of those who have lost loved ones, those who have been injured and those who have lost their homes and property.”

To read the letter Congressman Gordon sent to President Obama, go to http://gordon.house.gov/PDF/Tornado_Letter.PDF.

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