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Hurricane Helene: Information and Assistance in Tennessee

Posted on 10/03/24 by Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

En español | Tennessee residents are coping with widespread flooding, property damage and power outages in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm in Florida on Sept. 26.

Hurricane Helene caused fatalities in several states, including Tennessee, where it hit as a tropical storm.

Gov. Bill Lee declared a state of emergency due to the storm, which battered homes, businesses, roads and bridges.

President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for the state, allowing for federal assistance to supplement state and local responses. The declaration also allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate disaster relief efforts.

AARP has compiled a list of government, nonprofit and other aid available to help those affected by Hurricane Helene.

Emergency information and alerts


Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA): Find the latest on Hurricane Helene, including advice on recovering from the storm and shelter information. Sign up for emergency alerts and recovery information through the ReadyTN app.

Tennessee Department of Transportation: Information on road conditions and closures. Check for updates on conditions on its Facebook page.

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Food and housing assistance 


FEMA: Go online to FEMA.gov or download the FEMA app to search for shelters. You can also text SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362 (for example, Shelter 12345) to find emergency housing.

Tennessee 211: A free, confidential service that connects you with organizations that can provide disaster-related assistance, such as shelter and food. Dial 211 or go online.

Tennessee food banks: Feeding America provides a list of food banks statewide.

American Red Cross: The Red Cross website lists open shelters near you, or call 800-RED-CROSS. The organization has a Tennessee chapter to help with supplies and resources at the local level.

Salvation Army: The charitable organization provides disaster-related assistance, including food and shelter.

East Tennessee Foundation: A fund has been established to begin accepting monetary donations for impacted counties. Money from the fund will go toward grants to help nonprofit organizations and agencies providing disaster relief efforts.

Weather and power outages


FEMA.gov: Download the FEMA app for real-time alerts from the National Weather Service. Emergency officials may also reach you via the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alert, which don’t require sign-up.

Local news outlets: Tune in to Tennessee radio stations to hear National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) information on current and forecasted weather. Monitor local television and radio stations for the latest information and instructions from emergency personnel.

Weather.gov: Enter your city, state or ZIP code to find the latest forecast and storm-related news.

Utility companies: Report storm outages to your utility company. The Tennessee Public Utility Commission lists utility companies. Find a map of electricity outages from PowerOutage.US.

Ready.gov: Find tips for navigating a power outage at Ready.gov/power-outages.

Connect with loved ones


TEMA: Call 800-TBI-FIND (800-824-3463) to report a missing person in connection with the flooding in Tennessee.

Facebook: Indicate you are safe by checking in via the social media service, including the Hurricane Helene Safety Check-In group.

American Red Cross: Report yourself safe through Red Cross Reunification by calling 800- RED-CROSS (800-733-2767). The organization has guidance online for reuniting with friends and loved ones, along with state-specific reunification pages for people who are searching for the missing.

Federal assistance 


FEMA: When a disaster is declared due to a hurricane, you can apply for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by using the FEMA App.

U.S. Small Business Administration: Check the SBA’s website for information and to apply for low-interest disaster loans to help you recover from a storm.

Storm safety tips


Ready.gov/Hurricanes: Get advice from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on returning home following a storm and recovery.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The agency has information on how to prevent getting hurt or sick after a disaster, and guidelines for safe cleanup.

Healthcare Ready: If you had to evacuate and don’t have your prescriptions, RxOpen.org provides information on open pharmacies in areas impacted by disasters.

Mental health resources


Disaster Distress Helpline: For help with your mental health, call or text the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s toll-free helpline at 800-985-5990. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to all U.S. residents who are experiencing emotional distress due to disasters, including storms. Help is available in multiple languages.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call 988 and be connected with free and confidential support. This website has a feature that allows you to chat online.


Michelle Tuccitto Sullo is a states writer and editor for AARP. She previously served as managing editor of the Hartford Business Journal in Connecticut and has worked for the New Haven Register, the Connecticut Law Tribune and New Haven Biz.

Also of Interest: 

This story is provided by AARP Tennessee. Visit the AARP Tennessee page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.

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