By Robert Sorrell

Star correspondent

Three weeks after Hurricane Helene hit the region, the Carter County Commission continues to discuss relief efforts.

Representatives from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, including TEMA Director Patrick Sheehan, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency spoke during Monday’s commission meeting at the Carter County Courthouse. The three people answered several questions from the commissioners.

The representatives explained the differences between individual assistance and public assistance. Residents affected by the disaster are asked to register and submit an application for individual assistance from FEMA. Assistance can only be received by bereaved households, said FEMA Coordinating Officer Darryl Dragoo.

To apply, residents are encouraged to go online to disasterassistance.gov, call 1-800-621-3362 or visit the Multi-Agency Resource Center, which has an office in Elizabethton on US Highway 19E.

Officials noted that residents who receive a denial letter should save their letters and contact FEMA to see what else is needed for assistance to be approved. After acceptance, it usually takes around seven days for the money to arrive, it said.

Additionally, officials noted that FEMA covers things not covered by insurance and that documentation is required.

Public assistance applies to local governments, townships and taxing districts and can be used for schools, fire departments and other government agencies, Dragoo said. The funds can be used to reimburse costs for road and public building construction.

A request for FEMA trailers is currently in the process for the housing needs, but it could take some time for approval, officials said.

The Commission approved a request to create two temporary posts related to disaster relief operations. One of the positions will be in the finance department and the other will be in the county’s emergency management office.

Commissioner Aaron Frazier’s request called for funding of $29,000 for a position at the EMA and $47,000 for a position in the finance department. The temporary positions will assist the two departments with disaster relief efforts, particularly in documenting the disaster.

There was some debate among commissioners about whether the plan should be delayed to determine whether FEMA will reimburse the county, but a contractor hired to assist the county with such matters said the disaster-related ones positions could be covered and offered to provide evidence from FEMA documents.

Commissioners Lesley Hughes and Todd Smith said commissioners should listen to the hired contractor’s advice and continue to expand positions, which will help busy finance and emergency management departments.