Sevier County fire victims apply for nearly $10M in federal aid

With the Feb. 13 deadline for applying for federal assistance approaching, victims of the Sevier County fires have applied for nearly $10 million in federal aid.

In a news release Monday, Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesman Michael Peacock said 401 FEMA grants totaling $3 million and Small Business Administration loans totaling $6.8 million have been approved.

The FEMA grants are broken down to $1.5 million for housing assistance and $1.5 million for other needs, which involve mainly possessions lost in the fires.

The SBA loans include $4.1 million for homeowners and renters and $2.7 million to businesses for physical disaster damage and working capital.

Peacock said 1,271 survivors have visited the two disaster recovery centers that were opened in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg in the time after the fire.

Federal aid was made available to fire victims when then-President Barack Obama declared Sevier County a natural disaster area on Dec. 15. This declaration made FEMA and SBA aid available for those applying within a 60-day period.

That 60-day runs out on Feb. 13.

Victims can apply for federal aid online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by downloading the FEMA mobile app, calling the help line at 800-621-3362 or visiting the help center at the Gatlinburg Community Center. The help center will close at the end of the business day at 6 p.m. Friday.