Gov. Bill Lee has announced tax relief measures for residents and businesses in eight counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. Residents in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties can receive a sales tax refund of up to $2,500 on essential purchases for repairs, while all taxpayers in those areas will have extended deadlines to file and pay certain taxes until May 1, 2025. Additionally, the department will extend the franchise tax Schedule G refund filing deadline for businesses located in the counties to May 1. The department also will approve, on a case-by-case basis, tax extension requests from affected taxpayers for other taxes. Get details in a press release.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s office has released new information, highlighting resources available for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene and ways Tennesseans can serve. Information provided on the webpage includes instructions for donating items to the Northeast Tennessee Disaster Relief Center, now located at the Bristol Motor Speedway, links to First Lady Maria Lee’s Tennessee Serves website for volunteer opportunities, and specific information about helping in Cocke and Greene counties. For those who cannot travel to East Tennessee, the site also offers a range of ways to help virtually from a distance. Finally, the page has resources for storm survivors, including information about shelters, disaster and crisis clean-up hotlines, and links to relief agencies including Tennessee Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters and the American Red Cross.

A Newport attorney is helping Cocke County residents navigate the FEMA assistance process after Hurricane Helene. Candice Mendez, a local resident herself, has been assisting Cocke County residents with registering for federal aid. With her legal background and experience helping Hurricane Katrina survivors, Mendez organized two clinics this past weekend. She tells News 6 that an additional clinic will be held this week on Wednesday at Bridgeport Elementary School. Lawyers interested in helping should contact Mendez at 865-474-0380 or Cmendez.law@gmail.com. FEMA is offering initial assistance of $750 to qualified applicants in Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, Carter and Washington counties. The TBA Disaster Resources page offers general information for those impacted by disasters, as well as those seeking to provide assistance. The TBA's Helene Disaster Response page has information and resources specific to this disaster.

Tennesseans whose job was affected by Hurricane Helene can apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), according to the Tennessee Department of Labor (TDOL) and Workforce Development. WSMV 4 News reports that individuals can apply regardless of whether federal DUA has been approved yet. Those receiving state unemployment should also apply for DUA to be eligible for additional federal benefits. For more information or to apply, visit the TDOL website.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has activated a limited disaster plan for trial courts in four judicial districts impacted by severe flooding from Hurricane Helene. The order extends deadlines for filings, statutes of limitation and certain court orders by 45 days, from Sept. 26 to Nov. 12. Orders of protection and temporary injunctions that would otherwise expire between those dates are now extended until Nov. 12. This action follows emergency declarations by Gov. Bill Lee and President Joe Biden that an emergency exists in the state of Tennessee, including parts of the First, Second, Third and Fourth Judicial Districts, according to a press release from the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Hurricane Helene has become one of the deadliest storms in the U.S., with over 200 deaths and hundreds still missing across six states, according to the Washington Post. The American Bar Association shared updates and ways to help across the entire region. The TBA continues to work closely with Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS), other partner organizations and government agencies on the provision of free civil legal services for those affected by Helene, including legal clinics. In Tennessee, the TALS website Help4TN and helpline 844-HELP4TN are always available and have specific resources and legal support for storm survivors. Lawyers from across the state are invited to complete this online form to volunteer to help disaster survivors. The TBA Disaster Resources page offers general information for those impacted by disasters, as well as those seeking to provide assistance. The TBA's Helene Disaster Response page has information and resources specific to this disaster.

Gov. Bill Lee and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials yesterday addressed rumors circulating on social media that donations for Helene survivors were being confiscated. “There’s a lot of misinformation,” Lee said. “In fact, there’s some belief and understanding that it’s coming from foreign sources just to confuse on the ground what’s happening here. There’s no confiscation of supplies or of products coming in from FEMA or TEMA [Tennessee Emergency Management Agency].” WSMV News has more on the comments and suggestions for items that are needed in Tennessee’s Cocke County. Items may be dropped off at the distribution center at the old Walmart on 613 West Broadway St. in Newport 37821.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that federal disaster assistance is available to individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties in Tennessee. Assistance from FEMA may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help recovery from the effects of the disaster. Knox News has more about FEMA individual assistance. Gov. Bill Lee said, "As Tennesseans begin the rebuilding process, I thank our federal partners for granting resources to further our severe weather response and recovery in Northeast Tennessee." Recovery operations continue in the affected areas and additional designations may be made if warranted by the results of damage assessments. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

The TBA has actively been working with partner organizations this week to plan disaster legal assistance efforts and eventual legal clinics, which will follow recovery efforts. To help prepare for those events, lawyers from across the state are invited to complete this online form to volunteer to help disaster survivors. The TBA Disaster Resources page offers general information for those impacted by disasters, as well as those seeking to provide assistance. The TBA's new Helene Disaster Response page has information and resources specific to this disaster.

Two legal clinics aimed at helping survivors of Hurricane Helene are being planned in East Tennessee over the next two days. Tomorrow, a clinic will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT at the Newport Grammar School, 301 College St., Newport 37821. On Saturday, a clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EDT at Ober in Hartford, 3565 Hartford Rd., Hartford 37753. No special training is necessary to help survivors file FEMA claims. Since many people have lost their belongings, attorneys who volunteer are asked to bring their own computer, printer and scanner if possible. Those willing to help should let Cocke County attorney Candice Mendez know they plan to participate. She may be reached at 865-474-0380 or Cmendez.law@gmail.com.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has opened an investigation into Impact Plastics in Erwin, Knox News reports. Employees of the company have alleged management did not allow workers to leave the facility even as flood warnings were issued and floodwaters from the Nolichucky River swamped the building. According to the paper, two employees died and several were missing at the time of the report. Steve Finney, district attorney for the First Judicial District, requested TBI investigate the business to "identify any potential criminal violations." The company denies that it forced anyone to continue working as waters rose.