FEMA announced federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of Tennessee to supplement the state’s response efforts in the area affected by an explosion on Dec. 25.

The President's action authorizes FEMA to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program, (Category B) emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75% federal funding.

Myra M. Shird has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further evaluation.