Knox County government received a federal disaster declaration for public assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to offset costs incurred in February when more than 12 inches of rain caused flooding in the area.

Knox County residents and homeowners will not receive individual assistance from FEMA, according to Knoxville-Knox County Emergency Management, because damage to residences and businesses did not meet the agency's criteria.

More:State of Tennessee files for FEMA disaster relief for 58 counties

FEMA's public assistance will reimburse the county government for public sector disaster costs and flood-related expenses like sinkhole repair and overtime pay for first responders, Knoxville-Knox County Emergency Management Agency Director Colin Ickes said in an email early this week.

After the rain subsided, Knox County estimated flood damages totaled $43.5 million, and 800 to 900 buildings were affected by the flood.

Ickes said $32.4 million of the estimated damage was done to business and residential property. That estimate did not include damage to contents or belongings, he said.

Public damage totaled $11 million.

Knoxville-Knox County Emergency Management said FEMA is still considering individual assistance for residents in Sevier County, but a decision has not yet been made.

"If Sevier County receives Individual Assistance it is possible that some benefits may be extended here since we are an adjacent county," Knoxville-Knox County Emergency Management said in a statement. "We’re sorry to pass along that federal assistance is not available to our community members."



