Eight UC Counties To Receive Federal Flood Relief

President Donald Trump declared Thursday that several Tennessee counties were eligible for disaster funding following severe flooding and storm damage earlier this year.

Jackson County Mayor Randy Heady said the relief funding will help greatly in the region’s recovery efforts.

“The floodings are hard on small counties like us,” Heady said. “You have a lot of road damage, culvert repair, and things of that nature. There’s a lot of damage and cost that comes with upkeep after flooding. Also, [Gainesboro Elementary]… I know there was some flood damage there so there’s some recovery money with that too.”

Heady said the county will receive approximately $180,000 to help repair roadways damaged by the severe flooding that occurred in February. Additional funding will also go towards the Charles Ralph Holland Memorial Library in Gainesboro which suffered damage.

“It’s nice to be included in that disaster relief. That’s a big deal,” Heady said. “We need that money. That will go back into our funds and help us continue to finish out the year.”

Seven other Upper Cumberland counties were listed in The White House’s statement, including Clay, Dekalb, Fentress, Overton, Smith, Van Buren, and Warren counties.