Survivors of the August flood are running out of time to apply for federal disaster assistance. The rush of water left hundreds of people without homes and dozens without businesses.
But some survivors are slipping through the cracks of the application process ahead of the deadline — and a few business owners like David Hensley have called it a headache all together.
“You hear this on TV when something like this happens, ‘FEMA’s on the way,’ ” Hensley told WPLN News. “To do what? They didn’t do anything for us.”
Hensley co-owns Waverly grocery store Cash Saver — near North Clydeton Road and West Main Street. The store, along with a handful of other businesses in its shared plaza, was wiped out by floodwater. It had to be gutted.
The Small Business Administration did offer up a loan for the store, but Hensley says the conditions of accepting the funds weren’t favorable to him and his business partner.
To rebuild, he says, Cash Saver is relying on ownership and community support — instead of federal help.
Still, for flood survivors who were able to get funds and other assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and SBA have dished out about $9 million to residents in Dickson, Hickman, Houston and Humphreys counties.
“While the application process can sometimes seem cumbersome, especially in stressful situations,” FEMA said in a statement, “as of [Oct. 17], there are 2,460 valid applications from Middle Tennessee survivors and FEMA has dispersed $6,330,926.54 in Housing and Other Needs Assistance. We strongly encourage applicants who may be experiencing difficulty with the application process to contact us at 800-621-3362 for personal assistance.”
Flood survivors who haven’t applied for aid — or had given up but want to give it another shot — have until Oct. 25 to apply.
TN: Homeowners and renters in Dickson, Hickman, Houston and Humphreys counties have until Oct. 25 to apply for disaster assistance.
📰https://t.co/LuIImCJHQu pic.twitter.com/CKQdyx1o1r
— FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) October 18, 2021
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