FEMA Announces Disaster Aid Available after Tornadoes hit Tennessee

On March 5, FEMA announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to three counties in the state of Tennessee  after the President declared the state a major disaster zone. This aid is intended to strengthen state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding of March 3, 2020. The hardest hit area was in Putnam County, where at least 18 people were killed and 88 were injured when a hurricane ripped through three miles of the county. Along with Putnam County, Davidson County and Wilson County also received disaster declarations.  

The National Weather Service in Nashville reported that eight tornadoes hit Middle Tennessee, causing homes, businesses, airports, historic sites, and university campuses to be destroyed. Nashville NewsChannel 5 reported that in Putnam County alone over 400 homes were damaged and 100 were destroyed. As of March 5th, Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter stated that 60% of damaged homes have been searched and the victims are currently being treated in hospitals.