Disaster Assistance and Recovery Resources in Sumner County

After a disaster in Sumner County, call 911 for immediate danger, follow local safety instructions, document damage when safe, contact your insurer and check current FEMA eligibility at DisasterAssistance.gov. Sumner County’s directory lists Emergency Management at 615-452-7584. Tennessee 211, the American Red Cross, TEMA, FEMA and SBA provide additional assistance that depends on the incident and eligibility.

After a disaster in Sumner County, there is no single application or office that handles every need. Start with immediate safety, document damage when it is safe, contact your insurance company, and then check whether the incident has opened state or federal assistance programs.

For immediate danger, call 911. Sumner County’s official department directory lists Emergency Management at 615-452-7584 and Building & Codes at 615-452-1467. The same directory lists Emergency Communications at 615-451-3838 and county offices at 355 North Belvedere Drive, Gallatin, TN 37066.

Last verified: August 16, 2026. Disaster declarations, deadlines, recovery-center locations, cleanup instructions and nonprofit programs can change after a specific incident. Confirm incident-specific details with the responsible agency before acting.

What to do first after a disaster

Use this order when conditions allow:

1. Protect life and health. Leave unsafe buildings, avoid downed power lines and gas leaks, and call 911 for urgent medical, fire or rescue needs.
2. Follow local instructions. Do not enter an evacuated, condemned or visibly unstable structure until authorities or a qualified professional say it is safe.
3. Document the damage. Take photos and video of buildings, vehicles, belongings and debris before extensive cleanup or repairs, if doing so is safe.
4. Notify your insurer promptly. Ask about emergency repairs, temporary housing, debris removal, flood damage and personal-property claims.
5. Prevent additional damage. Use reasonable temporary measures, such as covering a damaged opening, and keep receipts. Avoid permanent repairs until the insurer has reviewed the loss when practical.
6. Check official assistance programs. FEMA assistance is not automatically available after every disaster. Eligibility depends on the incident, location, applicant and type of loss.

Do not enter floodwater or handle damaged electrical, gas or structural systems unless the responsible utility or a qualified professional has made the area safe.

Where Sumner County residents should start

Sumner County Emergency Management

Use the county’s current department directory and Emergency Management page for local notices, agency contacts and incident-specific instructions. The directory lists Emergency Management at 615-452-7584.

Emergency Management may coordinate public information and connect residents with the appropriate city, county, state or federal response. It does not replace 911, an insurance claim or a FEMA application.

911 and emergency communications

Call 911 for immediate threats to life, fire, rescue or urgent medical assistance. Do not use an administrative office number when emergency dispatch is needed. Sumner County lists Emergency Communications separately from Emergency Management.

Tennessee Emergency Management Agency

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, or TEMA, provides current links to FEMA assistance, disaster-declaration information, designated-area resources and Disaster Recovery Center information. TEMA notes that FEMA help is not automatically available after every disaster and is not guaranteed.

For current incidents, rely on TEMA and FEMA updates rather than social-media posts or instructions copied from an earlier storm.

FEMA assistance for households and property owners

FEMA Individual Assistance may help eligible survivors with certain disaster-related housing, home-repair, personal-property or serious-needs expenses. It becomes available only when the relevant incident and location meet program requirements.

How to check eligibility and apply

Use DisasterAssistance.gov to check whether an incident is open and apply when eligible. FEMA also accepts applications by phone at 800-621-3362 and through other methods listed in its current disaster instructions.

A Disaster Recovery Center may provide in-person help with applications, FEMA correspondence, status questions and referrals. Locations, hours and services are incident-specific, so check the official locator before traveling.

Information to gather before applying

FEMA may request information such as:

• The damaged address and current contact information
• A Social Security number
• A general description of damage and losses
• Insurance policy or claim information, if applicable
• Proof of ownership or occupancy when FEMA cannot verify it through other records
• Photos, repair estimates, receipts and related correspondence

The exact information required depends on the application and incident. Do not delay an application solely because you do not have every document; follow FEMA’s instructions and submit requested records through the official process.

Keep the application confirmation, documents and every FEMA letter. If FEMA issues an unfavorable decision or award amount, the decision letter explains the appeal process. FEMA’s current appeal guidance states that an appeal generally must be submitted within 60 days of the date on the decision letter.

FEMA assistance and insurance serve different purposes. FEMA may not replace every loss, and assistance can be affected by insurance payments or other recovery resources.

Insurance claims, cleanup and repairs

Document damage before cleanup

Notify your insurer promptly, photograph or video the damage, make a written inventory and save receipts for emergency expenses. Keep damaged items when it is safe and practical for an adjuster to inspect them. If an item must be discarded because it creates a health or safety hazard, photograph it first and record what happened.

Create a recovery file containing:

• Your policy number and insurer contact information
• Photos and videos organized by room, structure or item
• A written list of damaged or destroyed property
• Receipts for temporary lodging, supplies and emergency repairs
• Contractor estimates and signed agreements
• Notes from calls, including dates and names
• FEMA, SBA and other application numbers

Prevent additional damage and confirm cleanup rules

Temporary measures may be appropriate to prevent further damage, but discuss permanent repairs with your insurer before work begins when practical. Ask the affected municipality or county authority about debris placement, collection schedules, condemned structures, burning restrictions, permits and inspections. Rules can differ by jurisdiction and disaster.

Do not assume that public crews will remove private-property debris or that storm debris may be burned. TEMA provides general recovery links, but local instructions may be issued separately after an incident.

Avoid scams and unlicensed contractors

Tennessee disaster guidance warns consumers about impersonators, high-pressure offers, large advance payments and contractors who request money before work begins. Get written terms, verify applicable licensing requirements, ask for proof of insurance and confirm whether permits are required.

Before hiring a contractor:

• Request an itemized estimate and written scope of work.
• Confirm the contractor’s identity and applicable license or registration.
• Ask about insurance, permits and inspections.
• Avoid signing under pressure.
• Do not pay the entire amount before work is complete.
• Keep the contract, invoices and proof of payment.

Sumner County lists Building & Codes at 615-452-1467, but building requirements can vary by municipality and project. Confirm the correct local authority before reconstruction.

Help for businesses and nonprofit organizations

The U.S. Small Business Administration offers disaster loans for eligible businesses, homeowners, renters and private nonprofit organizations in declared disaster areas. Depending on the program, assistance may address eligible physical damage or substantial economic injury. SBA disaster loans must be repaid and have program-specific terms.

Businesses and nonprofits should preserve:

• Photos and inventories of damaged equipment, stock and buildings
• Payroll, sales and operating records
• Lease, mortgage and insurance documents
• Repair estimates and invoices
• Records showing interruption of operations
• FEMA, SBA and insurance correspondence

Review interest rates, collateral, payment schedules and other terms before accepting a loan.

Local and nonprofit recovery support

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross Nashville Area serves Sumner County. People affected by a home fire or another disaster can call 1-800-733-2767 for assistance and referrals. Available help depends on the incident and household circumstances; the Red Cross does not replace insurance or FEMA.

Tennessee VOAD

Tennessee Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster coordinates voluntary organizations and lists disaster-related services such as cleanup, emergency supplies, repairs, case management, transportation and long-term recovery. Its current assistance-request page says individuals and organizations may submit requests, which can be shared with appropriate response or recovery organizations. A request does not guarantee assistance.

211

Call 211 for current referrals from the local 211 agency. Referrals may include housing, food, utilities, transportation, legal services or disaster-recovery support. Programs, documentation requirements and deadlines vary. Call 911 for immediate medical or life-threatening emergencies.

Sumner County disaster-recovery checklist

First 24 hours

• Call 911 for immediate danger.
• Follow evacuation, shelter and re-entry instructions.
• Photograph damage if it is safe.
• Contact your insurer and ask about emergency repairs.
• Contact your mortgage lender or landlord if the property is uninhabitable.
• Notify utilities about unsafe or damaged service.

First week

• Check whether FEMA assistance is open for the specific incident.
• Check TEMA and Sumner County updates.
• Keep receipts and a written damage inventory.
• Ask before removing major debris or starting permanent repairs.
• Call 211, the Red Cross or Tennessee VOAD if you need referrals or recovery support.
• Confirm building-permit requirements before reconstruction.

During recovery

• Respond to every FEMA, insurance or SBA request by the stated deadline.
• Keep copies of documents and communications.
• Compare contractor estimates and verify applicable licensing.
• Watch for rules against duplicate assistance.
• Use Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance complaint resources if an insurance concern cannot be resolved directly.

What to verify before you apply or hire help

Before taking action, confirm:

• Whether Sumner County is included in the current FEMA or SBA declaration
• The application deadline for the specific disaster
• Whether a Disaster Recovery Center is open and where it is located
• Current city, county and utility instructions for debris and damaged structures
• Whether permits, inspections or licensed trades are required
• Whether a contractor is properly licensed and insured
• Whether a nonprofit program is accepting requests

For ongoing preparedness information, visit My Gallatin’s [Emergency Preparedness & Safety resources](/search?q=Emergency+Preparedness+%26+Safety) and save this guide before severe weather or another emergency occurs.

This article provides general information, not legal, insurance, tax, financial or construction advice. Official agencies and your insurance policy control eligibility, deadlines and required procedures.