News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Over 450 tornado survivors submitted relief applications for Cookeville/Putnam County Tornado Relief Fund before Tuesday’s midnight deadline.
Economic and Community Development Coordinator Melinda Keifer said it’s not too late for other survivors to apply.
“We have had tremendous outreach to the survivors to complete the needs assessment and get that turned into us,” Keifer said. “Obviously, we’re not going to take that form down off the county website any emergency time soon.”
Elderly and hospitalized survivors are at risk for not taking advantage of accessing relief funds. Keifer said the department has worked tirelessly to spread awareness.
Keifer said over $1.5 million from donors are available for the relief fund.
“It’s going to take a little bit of time to go through that data, try to analyze it, and verify as well,” Keifer said. “Hopefully in the next 15 to 30 days, I think we’ll actually have people receiving their checks in the mail.”
EMA provided a direct messaging system shortly after the March storm for the survivors. Keifer said the department posted the application link to the county website and provided access to computers for survivors to fill out the applications.
For more information, call 931-646-INFO.
