DisasterLookup
DR-585-TN · Major disaster declaration

Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding

Declared for Tennessee on May 7, 1979, covering 14 designated areas. Households could apply to FEMA in 10 of them.

May 7, 1979declared
14areas designated
10open to household applications
$0public assistance obligated so far
Timeline

How this declaration unfolded

Incident periodMay 7, 1979DeclaredMay 7, 1979Closed outSep 26, 1985

The incident period is the official window of the disaster. Damage generally has to fall inside it to qualify for FEMA help, and FEMA sometimes extends it, or adds counties and programs, as damage assessments come in.

What a major disaster declaration is

A major disaster declaration is the President's broadest disaster declaration. It is the only kind that can switch on the full set of FEMA programs, including help for individual households, rebuilding of public facilities and hazard mitigation. Which of those programs apply is decided area by area.

How declarations work →

Designated areas

Which programs each area got

IA means households could apply to FEMA. PA reimburses local governments. HM funds mitigation projects.

AreaProgramsHouseholds could apply until
Crockett CountyIA declaredPA not declaredHM not declaredYes
Davidson CountyIA declaredPA not declaredHM not declaredYes
Decatur CountyIA not declaredPA declaredHM not declared—
Dyer CountyIA declaredPA declaredHM not declaredYes
Gibson CountyIA declaredPA declaredHM not declaredYes
Henderson CountyIA not declaredPA declaredHM not declared—
Hickman CountyIA declaredPA declaredHM not declaredYes
Lauderdale CountyIA declaredPA declaredHM not declaredYes
Maury CountyIA declaredPA declaredHM not declaredYes
Perry CountyIA not declaredPA declaredHM not declared—
Rutherford CountyIA declaredPA not declaredHM not declaredYes
Smith CountyIA not declaredPA declaredHM not declared—
Williamson CountyIA declaredPA declaredHM not declaredYes
Wilson CountyIA declaredPA not declaredHM not declaredYes

Same event, other declarations

DeclaredDeclarationWhereHazardAreasHouseholds can apply?
Apr 26, 1979Severe Storms, Tornadoes & FloodingDR-580-TX · Major disasterTexas Severe Storm7Yes
May 15, 1979Severe Storms, Tornadoes & FloodingDR-586-FL · Major disasterFlorida Severe Storm4Yes

More from Tennessee: every FEMA declaration in Tennessee.