Porter: Disaster Declaration Possible At State Level

Putnam County Executive Randy Porter said he met with TEMA officials Thursday morning and believes the state may make an official disaster declaration for the Memorial Day storms. The federal government would have to approve a disaster declaration to get FEMA assistance.

“We had a meeting with TEMA this morning to discuss the storm a few weeks ago, they feel good that we’re going to be declared as a disaster area. But ultimately, the Governor has to approve it and the President of the United States of America, so we’re in a waiting game to see if that happens or not,” Porter said.

That damage declaration is based on the estimated cost of the damage. Cookeville Electric estimated it sustained more than $300,000 in damage from the storm, and they’re not finished calculating yet, Porter said.

“Just here alone in Putnam County, Cookeville Electric had enough damage to put us over the mark for us to be declared so it was a very damaging storm,” Porter said.

Porter said any disaster declaration made regarding the Memorial Day storms would be for government agencies and utilities only, allowing them to recover the cost of overtime and equipment. Individual and business claims are not involved at this time.