Fairview, County Officials Urge Residents to Register Storm Damage as Recovery Effort Continues

Fairview officials and Williamson County emergency managers on Tuesday urged residents to register storm damage and follow county procedures so federal disaster funding can be accessed. Todd Horton, director of Williamson County Emergency Management, told the Fairview Board of Commissioners that state and federal emergency declarations were in place and that FEMA has completed joint damage assessments, but a major disaster declaration — which would broaden reimbursements — may take weeks.

Horton said the county has activated public-information channels at williamsonready.org and through text alerts, and asked residents to report debris and damage by texting the keyword “debris” to 888777. That registration feeds an online form used to document location, type and estimated quantity of debris, which the county and municipalities use to prioritize assistance and justify requests for individual assistance and public assistance from FEMA.

Horton outlined key reimbursement rules in place now: emergency protective measures already approved by the federal declaration cover evacuations and sheltering, but debris removal from private property to the right-of-way is not yet reimbursable until a major disaster declaration is approved. He added that when federal public assistance becomes available the usual cost share is roughly 75% federal, 12.5% state and 12.5% local. The county opened 11 temporary debris-storage sites across the area, including two in Fairview; Horton stressed those are for government use only and warned residents that bringing private loads directly to those sites risks jeopardizing funding.

City Manager Tom Daugherty summarized local response: the city opened a warming shelter at Fairview High School, issued a civil emergency proclamation on Jan. 25 (extended Feb. 1) and is documenting overtime and other response costs for FEMA/TEMA reimbursements. Daugherty said public works, police and fire worked extended hours during the event and that he would bring forward a proposal to recognize employees who put in extraordinary time.

Horton and staff also described volunteer documentation requirements to secure reimbursement credit toward the local match: volunteers should have their name, contact information, start and end times, the work they performed, the location and a signed attestation; photos are recommended. The county is coordinating with United Way and faith-based organizations to funnel volunteer labor to documented tasks and to help identify residents in need of assistance.

The board voted 5–0 to ratify a civil emergency proclamation that staff said is needed to pursue recovery funding. Horton urged residents with damage to report it promptly so the county can visit homes when necessary to support an individual assistance request.

The city encouraged residents to follow official Fairview channels for updates and to call public works or city hall for questions about staging debris or volunteer assistance; Horton’s office also offered a county hotline and web resources at williamsonready.org.