Northeast Tennessee
Flood Relief/Recovery Directory
Compiled by John Moorehouse, RegionAHEAD and BRIDGE staff
Updated 12:00pm, Tues. Nov. 5
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This is a living document. Due to changing conditions, some information may go out of date quickly. This site wd be updated frequently, but please contact providers directly at the numbers or email addresses provided before driving to remote locations.​​
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The Northeast Tennessee Disaster Relief Center, located at Bristol Motor Speedway, is the prime location for Northeast Tennessee residents who were affected by flooding to seek assistance.
Additionally, the crisis hotline is active at 423-830-2696, seven days a week from 8:00am to 8:00pm.
Call if you need any of the following:
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Request assistance
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Report damage
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Seek information
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Inquire about family
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Request recovery resources
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Receive updates
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Referred to support
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To volunteer​
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Looking for the Southwest Virginia Flood Relief/Recovery Directory? Click here.
Have a good/service available to those affected that you would like included in this list? Fill out this form. ​​​
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NATIONAL, STATE AND REGIONAL
NATIONAL​
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FEMA ASSISTANCE
The portal for applying for FEMA aid for damage from Hurricane Helene has been opened on the FEMA website. Go to the site and scroll down to Declared Disasters. Then click Apply - it is a red button. Please be aware that accepting other funds, such as GoFundMe campaigns, could make you ineligible to receive FEMA funds later.
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Disaster Recovery Centers are open with new hours and locations to help Tennesseans affected by Tropical Storm Helene apply for FEMA assistance and get information and advice about community, state and federal resources.
New Hours
Beginning Monday, Nov. 4, all Disaster Recovery Centers will be open 8am to 7pm ET Monday - Saturday and 12-5pm ET Sunday. The centers are currently open at:
â–ª Greene County: Greene County Courthouse/Annex, 204 N. Cutler St., Greeneville, TN 37745
â–ª Hamblen County: Utility Commission Conference and Training Center, 441 Main St., Morristown, TN
37814
â–ª Unicoi County: National Guard Armory/Unicoi Emergency Operations Center, 615 South Main Ave.,
Erwin, TN 37650
New Centers
Four Disaster Recovery Centers will open Tues., Nov. 5, in Carter, Cocke, Johnson and Washington
counties.
Locations of the Johnson County and Washington County centers are new. Their addresses are:
â–ª Johnson County: Pioneer Village Shopping Center, 220 Pioneer Village Dr., Mountain City, TN 37683
â–ª Washington County: Embreeville Volunteer Fire Department, 4061 Highway 81 S., Erwin, TN 37650
DR-4832-TN NR-017 Changes to Schedule for Disaster Recovery Centers
The Carter County and Cocke County locations will transition from Multi-Agency Resource Centers, which
are run by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, to FEMA-run Disaster Recovery Centers. Their
addresses are:
â–ª Carter County: 1749 Highway 19 E., Elizabethton, TN 37643
â–ª Cocke County: Cocke County Recreation Department, 466 Learning Road or Learning Way (depending
on your navigation provider), Newport, TN 37821
Carter, Cocke, Johnson and Washington will open from 12-7 pm ET on Tues., Nov. 5. Starting Nov.
6, their regular hours are 8am-7 pm ET Monday - Saturday and 12-5pm ET Sunday.
MARC Closing
The Washington County MARC in Jonesborough will close permanently at 12pm ET Tues., Nov. 5.
Apply for Assistance
The deadline to apply for FEMA disaster assistance is Mon., Dec. 2. To apply, go to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Lines are open from 7am to 12am ET and operators speak most languages.
You may also apply at a Disaster Recovery Center. To find one, visit fema.gov/drc. To watch an accessible
video on how to apply, visit FEMA Accessible: Registering for Individual Assistance (youtube.com).
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​​HOTLINE: FEMA EMERGENCY LODGING
People living in six Northeast Tennessee counties that were hit hardest by Hurricane Helene can apply to live in federal temporary housing. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that residents of Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties are eligible to live in Direct Temporary Housing units for up to 18 months. FEMA is offering three different options for residents. Approved families can live in the units until April 2, 2026. The deadline to apply is December 2. Applications can be completed online, through the FEMA mobile app or by calling the FEMA Helpline.
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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION​
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has opened Business Recovery Centers (BRC) in Jonesborough, Greenville, Morristown, Erwin, Elizabethton, and Newport to assist businesses and residents in the region who were affected by Hurricane Helene. More centers are planned to open in the region in the future.
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SBA’s Customer Service Representatives are available at the Centers to answer questions, assist business
owners complete their disaster loan application, accept documents, and provide updates on an
application’s status. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment at an SBA
Business Recovery Center in advance. The Centers will operate at the address below during the following hours: Hours: Mon.-Sat., 7am-7pm and Sun. 12pm-5pm.
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Old Jonesborough Elementary Library
306 Forrest Dr.
Jonesborough, TN 37659​
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Greene County Courthouse/Annex
204 N Cutler St.
Greenville, TN 37745
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Utility Commission Conference Center
441 W Main St.
Morristown, TN 37814
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National Guard Armory/UNICOI EOC
615 S Maint St.
Erwin, TN 37659
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Farm Bureau Building
1747 US-19E
Elizabethton, TN 37643
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Cocke County Recreation Department
466 Learning Rd.
Newport, TN 37821
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The disaster declaration covers Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and
Washington counties, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the
SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are
eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Grainger, Hancock, Jefferson, Sevier
and Sullivan in Tennessee; Ashe, Avery, Haywood, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga and Yancey in North
Carolina; Grayson, Scott and Washington in Virginia.
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With the changes to FEMA’s Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to simultaneously apply
for FEMA grants and the SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover. FEMA grants are
intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA
disaster loan program is designed for your long-term recovery, to make you whole and get you back to
your pre-disaster condition. Do not wait on the decision for a FEMA grant; apply online and receive
additional disaster assistance information at sba.gov/disaster.
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Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to
disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are
deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay
services.
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The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Dec. 2, 2024. The deadline to
return economic injury applications is July 2, 2025.​
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The Cora Brown Fund, administered through the Department of Homeland Security, supports disaster recovery for those survivors with unmet needs that cannot be addressed through other forms of assistance. Contact your local FEMA Regional Director to receive a recommendation for assistance. Call 770-220-5200 or email FEMA-R4-Info@fema.dhs.gov.
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AMERICAN RED CROSS
The American Red Cross provides immediate resources - please visit their website here.
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STATEWIDE​ - TN​​
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HOTLINE: TEMA CLEANUP
Call 844-965-1386. Muck out, tree service, tarps, debris cleanup. All services are free but not guaranteed due to overwhelming need.
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HOTLINE: MISSING PERSONS
Call 1-800-TBI-FIND. Callers should be prepared to relay as much identifying information as possible, including names, phone numbers, vehicle identification, and last known whereabouts. Command Center at Unicoi Middle School. Check in for information or to report missing persons.​​
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AVAILABLE SHELTER IN TENNESSEE
Please visit the state's website here to view a map of locations offering shelter.
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TDOT STORM DAMAGE UPDATES
Click here for updates from the state regarding storm damage, infrastructure/roadway delays, and more.
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The NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS - TENNESSEE has a page dedicated to mental health support + resources for those impacted. You can view that here.
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BUSINESS RECOVERY
Complete the TN Company Disaster Response Survey here to receive information from the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development on Business Disaster Recovery Efforts as it becomes available.
Beware disaster relief scams. Follow this guide of tips to know what to look for.
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FOR EMERGENCY HOLDING OF FINISHED GOODS
Refrigerated or temperature controlled:
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Covenant Transport, Chattanooga, TN – 888-763-5352
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Landstar Systems, Jacksonville, FL – 877-696-4507
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CR England Trucking – 800-453-8826
For non-refrigerated stable goods, email Lynn Tully at lynn.tully@tn.gov or Allison Dover at allison.dover@tn.gov with TNECD to help locate local temporary warehouse openings.
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DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE is available for people who lost their jobs or had work hours reduced due to Helene in East Tennessee. People who live in, work in or travel to their job through Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi or Washington counties can apply for assistance. These benefits will cover Sept. 29 to April 5, 2025, if unemployment continues to be a direct result of the storm. The deadline to apply is Monday, Dec. 2.
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To apply, visit TN.gov/Jobs4TN or call 877-813-0950 between 9am and 5:30pm ET Monday - Friday. If you file online, specify on your application that you were impacted by a disaster.
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FOR EMPLOYEES FACING UNEMPLOYMENT
The Regional Director for The TN Department of Labor has opened an American Jobs Center post at the Erwin Town Hall (211 North Main Avenue). This is a manned post and will be available as early as this week. If you cannot make it to the AJC physical location please call 423-224-1800 or 423-610-0222.
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STARLINK INTERNET CONNECTIVITY
Those impacted by Hurricane Helene and the flooding aftermath can receive 30 days of internet access for free via Starlink. For more info and instructions on how to sign up, click here.
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REGIONAL​
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
​Local United Ways are partnering together to channel all local volunteer opportunities into one location. Please visit the www.volunteer-united.org website to view available volunteer shifts and sign up.
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OTHER REGIONAL SERVICES
SMILE Foster Closet is organizing a mobile clothes closet to drive around the shelters for the children, as well as providing diapers, hygiene items etc for them.
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Operation BBQ Relief has multiple locations across the region serving hot meals. Check here to see updated located and hours.
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Coal Miner's Daughter Mercantile in the Johnson City Mall has free women's clothing in all sizes available for those in need.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee is on alert in the eight counties of Northeast Tennessee! If any county shelter or Emergency Management needs food or water, please call Tom Cromie, Operations Director, at 423-794-0448. They are ready to mobilize if needed. Individuals please DO NOT CALL. Instead, use Facebook Messenger for locations for assistance.
Tri-Star Counseling is offering free individual therapy sessions for those affected by losses from Helene. Call 423-430-9687 to schedule.​
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East Tennessee Counseling Collaborative is a network of local therapists or practices providing services from $0-30 for those impacted by Hurricane Helene and flooding. For more info and to schedule immediate sessions, click here.​
DONATE AND SUPPORT
RegionAHEAD.com (in partnership with First Tennessee Development District) is accepting donations to provide economic relief to local small businesses. You can visit their website here.
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The Northeast Tennessee Disaster Relief Center, located at Bristol Motor Speedway, desperately needs the following (as of 10/8): charcoal grills + charcoal, propane tanks (regular and small size), propane grills, tents, sleeping bags, kerosene pumps/heaters + kerosene, Hot Hands, generators, and new blankets.​
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Helicopters are delivering supplies to remote areas and cost approximately $1,200 per hour to fly each helicopter. You can support by donating towards fuel and supplies here.
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The Farm and Forest Families of Tennessee Disaster Relief Fund, a nonprofit established by the Tennessee Farm Bureau, works to help farm families following natural disasters. Donations to this fund may be tax deductible. 100% of the money received will go directly to work for family farmers and food related initiatives. The assistance can help farmers rebuild and recover from sustained losses due to Hurricane Helene. You can donate online here.
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For checks, mail to:
Farm and Forest Families of Tennessee
c/o Mark Turner
PO Box 313
Columbia, TN 38402-0313
(note disaster relief on the check)
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For questions, contact Mark Turner: maturner@tfbf.com
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RISE Erwin has a GoFundMe to help with financial relief located here.
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The East Tennessee Foundation's Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund can be donated to here.
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The United Way of East TN Highlands is accepting donations for regional flood relief/recovery. Please visit their website here or call (423)220-1229 for more info. They are open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday.
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Operation BBQ Relief provides hot meals to communities after natural disasters. You can support their efforts (in our region and beyond) here.
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First Bank and Trust has an account dedicated to collecting funds from the public for relief efforts, which will be made payable to United Way of East Tennessee Highlands Disaster Relief Fund. Donations can be made in the drive-through or inside any First Bank and Trust location in Virginia, Tennessee or North Carolina. First Bank and Trust will issue checks every Friday for as long as donations are received. First Bank and Trust has also pledged $100,000 in donations to the affected areas of western North Carolina, Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.​
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Donate to Holston Habitat for Humanity's fund here.
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Appalachia Service Project, an organization that is already highly active in our region and that will become even more utilized in the rebuilding process, can be supported via their website here.
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Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee is also seeking funds here to continue their great work in this increased time of need.
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Birthplace of Country Music Museum will serve as a drop-off site in Bristol for hurricane relief donations, which will then be distributed to vetted local agencies who are working to get supplies to neighbors in need in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. Drop off is Tues.-Sun. during regular business hours (closed Mondays). The following donations will be accepted:
Water, tarps, non-perishable food items, can openers, batteries, first aid kits, hand sanitizers, baby diapers and wipes, baby formula, heavy duty trash bags, kitchen dishwashing gloves or nitrile gloves, utility gloves, N95/KN95 face masks, pet food, cleaning supplies, paper products, toiletries including menstrual care items, box fans, new blankets (still in packaging), new bath towels, new bedding.​
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The Kingsport Chamber of Commerce (in partnership with Eastman) is collecting supplies to donate to regional recovery efforts. They are located at 400 Clinchfield Street, Suite 100, in Kingsport, and open M-F 8am-5pm. The items needed (as of 10/8) are: baby medicine, flashlights, AA & D batteries, new sleeping bags, new blankets, can openers, Hot Hands, camping tents, work gloves, lighters, fire starters, solar blankets and large tarps. Monetary donations can be made at this link. For questions, please call (423)392-8800.
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The Carter Compassion Center, serving Carter County, can be supported via this link.
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Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief can be supported here.
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Appalachian Roots Magazine is raising $2,500 to provide toys to children in Northeast TN shelters. Click here to support.
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BarkBound at 694 Clinch Street in Kingsport is gathering donations for the Unicoi County Animal Shelter, which was destroyed by the floods. Items being sought include solar lights and battery powered lights, batteries, construction trash bags, snow shovels, respirator masks, hazmat suits, headlamps, extension cords, heavy duty surge protectors, gloves, dehumidifiers and industrial fans.
Price & Ramey Insurance at 1524 Bridgewater Lane #101 in Kingsport is accepting bottled water, baby items, flashlights and batteries, toiletries, cleaning supplies and pet food.
Jonesborough Community Chest is accepting donations daily from noon-7 p.m. at Jonesborough First Baptist Church, 201 E Main Street.
Bring a case of bottled water to Vision Quest VR & Arcade at the Johnson City Mall and receive a $10 arcade play card and a free VR ride.
The Sequoyah Council Service Center at 129 Boone Ridge Drive in Johnson City is accepting donations of bottled water, pet food, blankets and non-perishable food. Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Fridays.
Hawkins County Rescue Squad is accepting donations in the lower bay of the building. Accepted items include bottled water, Gatorade, Body Armor drinks, beef jerky, protein bars, cereal bars, formula, chips, canned ready-to-eat snacks, crackers, trail mix, baby wipes and body wipes. For more information, call 423-231-4254.
City Church at 2601 East Center Street in Kingsport accepting donations. You can also text Relief to 423-226-5155.
Holiday Lanes is accepting non-clothes donations. 117 Broyles Drive, Johnson City.
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Donate to Appalachian Christian Camp here.
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Depot Street Farmers Market in Greeneville, TN is now accepting monetary donations online and will match all donations up to $1,000. They are working with The United Way to distribute the money and nonperishable goods to local organizations that help families in need. To learn more visit their website.
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Animal shelters across our region were already full before the flooding - now some are even more overwhelmed after taking in animals from compromised facilities. Please click the following to see how you can support our local shelters, whether that is monetarily, donating food/supplies, or by volunteering your time: Greeneville-Greene County Humane Society, Washington County TN Animal Shelter, Sullivan County Animal Shelter, Unicoi County Animal Shelter, Appalachian Highlands Humane Society, Smyth County Animal Shelter, Washington County VA Animal Shelter.