TEMA latest updates

TEMA released a new report Monday providing an update on flooding impacts. 15 weather-related fatalities have been confirmed by the Tennessee Department of Health. Unicoi County EMA Director Jimmy Erwin said on Monday that nine bodies have been recovered in Unicoi County with one being a body recovered in a casket. Five of them were residents of the county and confirmed Impact Plastics employees, and three were identified to be residents of North Carolina. TEMA reported 9 active leads that the TBI and local law enforcement are working on. TEMA noted this number does not represent the total of unaccounted individuals. Washington County Sheriff Keith Sexton said on Monday that two people remain officially missing in his county. 19 drinking water facilities in the region are reporting operational issues with 15 of those issuing boil water notices. Three wastewater treatment plants reported problems within their systems due to flooding impacts. Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation says the temporary water contact advisory for flood waters remains in effect and is telling the public to avoid all contact with bodies of water affected by the flooding. TEMA said the Northeast Tennessee Disaster Relief Center is open at the Bristol Motor Speedway. This center is the home base for recovery efforts and a major donation reception center. That center is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Daily and accepting donations and coordinating supply delivers to locales based on needs. The report also said two new Multi-Agency Resource Centers have opened in Jonesborough and Elizabethton. These centers will be staffed with FEMA crews and other federal, state and regional agencies that can assist with recovery efforts. TEMA says Temporary Driver Services locations have been established in the aftermath of last weeks flooding. Duplicate licenses are being issued for flood victims who lost theirs. If you lost your drivers license or ID in the flooding, you can receive a new one at the Elizabethton Driver Services Center, Newport Grammar School, and the Unicoi Police Department. And the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have activated the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program for the state to aid uninsured residents in replacing prescription medicines or certain medical equipment lost or damaged.