Tennessee Gets Presidential Disaster Declaration

President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster designation for Tennessee and ordered federal aid to assist recovery efforts after a severe winter storm in eight counties in March.

The declaration makes federal funding available to state and local governments and some other organizations for emergency work and repairs of facilities damaged in the storms during the period of March 2-4. The White House says in a release that the counties are Carroll, Cheatham, Dickson, Haywood, Houston, Madison, Shelby and Tipton.

Federal funding is also available for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has named Terry Quarles as the coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.