Putnam To Receive FEMA Relief Funds For Christmas Storm Damage

Putnam County one of eleven counties in the state to receive federal relief money following the Christmas storm last year.

Mayor Randy Porter said he estimates the county had about $60,000 worth of damage to the health department and the solid waste transfer station. He said the city of Cookeville and the city of Baxter also had significant water main breaks.

“Along with some trouble with electrical,” Porter said. “And when you start adding all those together, it goes up pretty quick. So it was enough for us to be considered for it and they approved it.”

Porter said FEMA will reimburse the entities up to 90 percent of the costs paid for the damage. He said the county has gone through this process several times, including with the 2020 tornado.

Porter said TEMA looked at the state as a whole to see which areas suffered the most damage. He said certain requirements must be met in order to receive a federal disaster declaration and be considered for federal relief funds.

“So once the declaration is made by the president then FEMA comes in,” Porter said. “We start having meetings and we have to put together paperwork, invoices, checks, for what we paid for everything as far as the damage and stuff that happened here.”

Porter said they are still awaiting the exact dollar amount the county will receive.