Biden approves disaster declaration for Tennessee following severe storms, tornadoes

President Biden approved a disaster declaration for Tennessee on Friday after multiple states suffered tornado and severe storm damage last month.

Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Gibson, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Obion, Stewart, Sumner, Weakley and Wilson counties will have federal funding made available for their residents under the approved disaster declaration, the White House said. That assistance includes low-cost loans for property losses that were uninsured and grants for housing repairs and temporary housing.

The White House said that other areas are still under assessment for damage and that other areas in the future may be given federal financial assistance.

Last month, multiple states including Kentucky, Illinois and Tennessee suffered damage from severe storms and tornadoes that left tens of people dead, including six people who died following the collapse of an Amazon warehouse in Illinois.

Tennessee’s emergency management agency reported that five had died following the tornadoes on Dec. 10 and Dec. 11, WPLN News noted last month.

Biden approved a disaster declaration in Kentucky before the new year and traveled to the state several days after tornadoes hit the state, saying that the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be providing resources including thousands of blankets and cots and 74,000 meals at the state’s request.

“I intend to do whatever it takes, as long as it takes, as long as it takes to support your state, your local leaders, as you recover and rebuild. Because you will recover and you will rebuild,” Biden said during his visit in Dawson Springs.

“I promise you, you’re going to heal. We’re going to recover, we’re going to rebuild. You’re going to be stronger than you were before. We’re going to build back better than it was,” he added.