Latest news with #TennesseeEmergencyManagementAgency
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Sullivan County revisits hazard mitigation plan
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Sullivan County officials, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and community members met on Wednesday to discuss the county's updated five-year mitigation plan. Every county in Tennessee has a hazard mitigation plan to prepare for natural disasters. This is the first revision to the plan since Hurricane Helene. Michael Lamphere, TEMA's East Regional Planner, said it is essential to anticipate all the possibilities of the future. 'Hazard mitigation is basically how I looked at what to look at,' he said. 'It is think of the worst case scenario, the worst disaster that you could think of is going to happen to your community or your jurisdiction. How would you prevent that from actually causing damage and saving lives and property? What would you do to mitigate that today?' Lamphere said a hazard mitigation plan helps create less financial strain on the community. 'Basically, for every dollar that is spent on mitigation, it saves between 6 and $8 on future damage,' Lamphere said. 'So if something happened today, if you actually spent that money ahead of time to prepare for that, it would save a lot of money in the future if a disaster were to hit because you helped prepare it, mitigate that disaster before it actually happened.' Sullivan County Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Bean said that reviewing the plan at least every five years ensures that the most critical projects remain a priority in disaster recovery efforts. 'The biggest reason to update, at least every five years, is, number one, not to go stale with your project,' Bean said. 'When I first came into the job, a little over ten years ago, we were repeating projects that hadn't been completed in the past five years. So we wanted to make sure, you know, this wasn't something that fell to the wayside. And, so we would create a list of projects, and we worked toward them in those five years.' The hazard mitigation plan only protects against natural disasters, not human-caused issues. 'Floods, landslides,' Bean said. 'Earthquakes, strong winds, tornadoes, all those, all the other natural disasters, and other than manmade, and nothing, specifically public health related like we went through two years ago.' Once the plan is submitted, FEMA has 60 days to review and accept it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tennessee National Guard, TEMA and more conducting disaster response exercise in Davidson County
DAVIDSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — More than 30 agencies are partnering with the Tennessee National Guard and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency to conduct a disaster response exercise in Davidson County. 📧 Have breaking news come to you: → On Friday, the agencies will conduct a bridging operation at Cleece's Ferry Boat Ramp at the Cumberland River. The operation is one of several taking place during 'Vigilant Guard 2025,' which started Monday and will last through Sunday, May 18. Other operations will take place across the Volunteer State and is meant to help improve mission command and cooperation between federal, state and local agencies. 'These exercises, where we operate jointly and with various emergency responders, are crucial to our organization's readiness,' Maj. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessee's Adjutant General, said. 'The more we work alongside one another, the more we fine-tune our policies and procedures. Building these relationships are vital to our effectiveness, and continuing to practice what we do will make all of us much better when it's time to respond to the real thing.' National Guardsmen from Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming are co-sponsoring the exercise, which is based on a 7.5-magnitude earthquake occurring along the New Madrid Seismic Zone in Tipton County, Tennessee. 📧 Have breaking news come to you: → You might see an increased military presence in Davidson County because of the exercise, especially in Davidson County. The Tennessee Air National Guard will employ the MQ-9 'Reaper,' which is a remotely-piloted aircraft that will fly over the exercise site to conduct damage assessments and route reconnaisance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Tennessee's 'notable' 4.1 magnitude earthquake. Why they occur and chance for aftershocks
Nashville is about 175 miles from a 4.1 magnitude earthquake that occurred in East Tennessee near Greenback on May 10. The earthquake was described as "notable" by U.S. Geological Survey and was felt in several states according to reports, though it fell short of being classified as a "moderate." The earthquake's shaking approached eastern portions of Middle Tennessee as both the Putnam County and Jackson County emergency management agencies had multiple reports of "shaking" on the morning of May 10. A 5.3 magnitude earthquake is considered a 'moderate' earthquake, and a 6.3 is a 'strong' earthquake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey scale. The Michigan Tech University measuring system describes earthquakes between 2.5 to 5.4 magnitude as often felt, but generally cause only minor damage, No injuries or significant damage were immediately reported by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency from the East Tennessee quake. And there are millions of earthquakes registering at 2.5 magnitude or less that are usually not felt, but can be recorded by a seismograph, according to Michigan Tech. Aftershocks are additional earthquakes that are related to each other and continue to occur near the mainshock. U.S. Geological Survey lists the percentages of an aftershock of 3.0 magnitude or better after the May 10 East Tennessee earthquake as. One year: 36% One month: 22% One week: 15%. There is a 9% chance of an aftershock of 4.0 or more within a year, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. An earthquake is what happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another. The surface where they slip is called the fault o the fault plane. The location below the earth's surface where the earthquake starts is called the hypocenter, and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the epicenter. Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@ and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee's 4.1 magnitude earthquake and the chance for aftershocks
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Shaking reported in Middle TN during 4.1 magnitude earthquake in Blount County
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Residents of some Middle Tennessee counties have reported feeling the 4.1 earthquake that shook the state's eastern region Saturday morning. Just after 9 a.m., the United States Geological Survey confirmed that a 4.1 magnitude earthquake was detected in Blount County, near the North Carolina state line, and could be felt as far as Atlanta, Georgia. The earthquake's depth was measured to be about 15.5 miles below the surface. RELATED: 4.1 magnitude earthquake confirmed in East Tennessee According to the USGS, in the eastern United States, a 4.0 magnitude earthquake can often be felt in places as far as 60 miles from its epicenter. Some parts of Middle Tennessee reported feeling shaking from over a hundred miles away. Central View Volunteer Fire Department in Sparta said the earthquake was felt in White County, which is located approximately 126 miles from Blount County. The Putnam County Emergency Management Agency said shaking was reported in the area, though no damage was reported. ⏩ News 2 viewers in DeKalb and Warren counties also reported feeling the earthquake. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has asked residents to report any earthquake-related damage to their local emergency management agency, which can be found here. Additionally, the USGS website is collecting data from those who felt the earthquake. Follow the link here. 📲 Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go.📧 Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox.💻 for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
West Tennessee picks up pieces, awaits FEMA decision after severe storms
A business on Davis Drive in Dyersburg, Tenn. was completely surrounded by flood water on April 10, 2025 after torrential downpours caused the North Fork of the Forked Deer River to overflow. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson) Nearly a month after severe storms battered and flooded several West and Middle Tennessee towns, local officials and nonprofits are still helping residents pick up the pieces while awaiting the Trump administration's decision on federal aid. Gov. Bill Lee requested a major disaster declaration — which would unlock federal recovery assistance dollars for public entities and individuals — for select counties on April 17. The federal government has 30 days to respond. Damage estimates for public property and recovery services throughout West and Middle Tennessee exceed $26 million according to assessments conducted by local, state and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials. To qualify for FEMA aid, damages must be beyond the response capabilities of local and state governments. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Assistant Director of Recovery and Mitigation Craig Hanrahan said he believes Tennessee will meet the eligibility threshold for federal public aid. But that's not a guarantee that the Trump administration will approve the disaster declaration — Arkansas, West Virginia, and Washington have seen their requests for FEMA assistance denied as the federal government pushes states to take on more recovery responsibility. Individual losses are more difficult to calculate, Hanrahan said. Around 300 homes and 14 businesses or nonprofits were severely damaged by the storms and flooding. Obion County Mayor: FEMA dollars 'would be vital' In Obion County, most of the 100-plus families who evacuated their homes have returned, Obion County Mayor Steve Carr said Wednesday. The flood water has receded, leaving an estimated $1 million in damage to local roads. Several hundred acres of farmland were rutted by the force of the water and covered in sand. This round of storms hit personal property hard, Carr said. In February, flooding devastated the small town of Rives. In April, Rives flooded again, but this time, the damage also extended to several other communities. Mission teams from churches and other organizations have helped homeowners tear out wet floors, insulation, drywall and debris. Around four families were displaced, but most residential houses should be 'in good shape' within a month or less, he said. 'We're thankful for the help they've provided these folks, because they certainly needed it,' Carr said. 'Still do.' Carr is hopeful that FEMA assistance will come through, particularly for homeowners whose properties suffered major damage. FEMA calculates individual assistance for those who apply after a disaster declaration is granted, taking things like homeowners and flood insurance into consideration, Hanrahan said. The Individual Assistance Program may help pay for rental assistance, home repairs and personal property replacement, but isn't intended to cover all individual losses, according to FEMA. Officials in affected counties are encouraging residents to document damage to their properties. If federal aid is denied, 'it's just going to be more difficult for the individuals as they try to find ways to recover from this,' Carr said. 'It would be vital to get that help, and we're certainly hoping that the declaration will come through, but we know there's a chance that it won't. We will be here to try to work with them if we can, to help any way we can.' Should Trump's administration approve Tennessee's disaster declaration request, the federal government will cover about 75% of certain recovery costs, with a 25% local match. In Tennessee, the state typically pays for half of that match, leaving local governments to make up the other 12.5% of the bill. In the absence of public assistance, counties will be on their own to figure out how to recoup the cost of repairing damage. If federal aid is denied, Tennessee will likely pursue the appeal process and lean on partnerships with nonprofits and faith-based organizations for help with recovery, Hanrahan said. TEMA also encourages local governments to form their own long-term recovery groups with charitable partners. Nearly 500 tons of debris removed from Dyersburg Dyersburg, a town with about 16,000 residents in Dyer County, saw damage from flooding and severe winds. A suspected tornado damaged 16 houses, one public building and seven businesses, totaling about $2 million, Dyersburg Mayor John Holden said. Flooding affected 121 properties inside the city limits, including 110 houses, 11 public areas, 48 businesses, five churches and a police precinct. The community has rallied to help those in need, with churches and nonprofits helping provide meals, cleaning supplies and clothing for flood victims and those assisting in recovery. South Dyersburg, where flood water covered local roadways and crept into homes, is mostly composed of rental properties, Holden said. Local organizations and church groups have helped remove soaked drywall and insulation from about 75% of the owner-occupied homes in the area, and landlords are working on their properties. 'Those that were displaced and owned their homes, we have got them assistance,' Holden said. Some are still in hotels. Bleachers and soccer goals portrude above flood water that completely covered the Dyersburg Soccer Complex in Dyersburg, Tenn. on April 10, 2025. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson) Water covers the roadway and surrounds businesses on Davis Drive in Dyersburg, Tenn. on April 10, 2025 after torrential downpours led the North Fork of the Forked Deer River to overflow. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson) Davis Drive in Dyersburg, Tenn. is closed to traffic on April 10, 2025 due to flooding after torrential downpours caused the North Fork of the Forked Deer River to overflow. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson) Bleachers and soccer goals portrude above flood water that completely covered the Dyersburg Soccer Complex in Dyersburg, Tenn. on April 10, 2025. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson) Flood water covers parts of the roadway and front yards on residential Christie Street in Dyersburg, Tenn. on April 10, 2025. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson) The city removed nearly 127 tons of flood debris and 372 tons of debris from wind damage as of April 28. Combined, the debris is equivalent in weight to about 120 heavy-duty pickup trucks. Holden said he believes the damage in Dyersburg meets the criteria for public assistance through FEMA, which would help reimburse the city for part of what they spent on cleanup, overtime, equipment and rescue efforts. In the aftermath of the worst flood in Dyersburg's history in 2010, the city used some of the federal aid it received to install mitigation measures to lessen the impact of future floods. Lift stations at the wastewater treatment plant that were lost in 2010's flood survived this time around because the controls could be lifted several feet above the water, Holden said. Residents of a mobile home park that flooded in 2010 were relocated and the area became the Dyersburg Soccer Complex. The fields were entirely under water in early April, but usable by the end of the month. If federal assistance doesn't come through this time, the city will rely on volunteers, churches and relief organizations for help. 'We'll get it done locally, somehow, some way,' Holden said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
