U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) visited Northeast Tennessee on Friday to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene and meet with local and state officials regarding ongoing recovery efforts.
During her trip, Blackburn toured impacted areas, including parts of Washington and Greene counties, and inspected the remains of the Highway 107 Kinser Bridge, which was heavily damaged by the storm.
In Greene County, Blackburn met with local leaders such as County Mayor Kevin Morrison and EMA Director Heather Sipe to discuss the progress of flood damage repairs. She praised the swift response of local emergency management teams and emphasized the importance of ensuring that residents and businesses receive the needed assistance.
“We are working on flood damage and of course, the response here with the EMA with the mayor, with your local elected officials has really been exemplary,” Blackburn said. “And our team has worked really closely with them. We’re standing up the multi-agency resource centers. We are doing pop-up office hours, and Michael and Kim in our office are working with people to be sure that they recover those Social Security and VA and income tax documents.”
Blackburn stressed the importance of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staying engaged in the recovery process. “We want to ensure that FEMA remains on the ground, that people can apply for all available resources, and that FEMA processes claims promptly—whether for the county, businesses, or individuals,” she said.
To support those affected, Blackburn’s office has set up a web page providing information on FEMA assistance and other available resources.
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During her visit, Blackburn also commended the volunteer spirit of Tennesseans, noting how communities have come together to provide essentials like water, food, furniture, and clothing for those who lost everything in the disaster. “Tennessee has the best volunteers and the best communities, and people have truly stepped up to help their neighbors,” she said.
Looking ahead, Blackburn emphasized the need for continued federal oversight to ensure agencies like FEMA, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Small Business Administration (SBA) meet their obligations in aiding the recovery. “Our role is largely oversight, ensuring that these agencies are adequately funded and respond appropriately to the needs of the communities,” she said.
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