Obama declares Tennessee wildfire a major disaster

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — President Obama signed a disaster declaration Thursday, ordering federal funds be made available to victims of the fires that killed 14 and damaged or destroyed more than 2,400 structures in Gatlinburg and the surrounding communities in east Tennessee.

Sevier County residents and business owners who sustained losses from wildfires during the period of Nov. 28 to Dec. 9 are eligible to receive federal funds, according to a news release from the White House.

Financial assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help people recover from the fires, the release reads.

Funding is available to state and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations for emergency work in Sevier County.

Funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Residents and business owners can begin applying for assistance on Friday.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said damage surveys are continuing, and more counties and other forms of aid may be designated.