US Department of Labor awards $550K to assist clean up, recovery after Tennessee’s torrential rainfall in August 2021

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced funding of $550,085 to support disaster-relief employment for individuals to assist with clean up and recovery, and provide employment and training services, after catastrophic rainfall on Aug. 21 led to flooding and extensive waterway damage in parts of the Middle Tennessee region.

Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, the fully funded National Dislocated Worker Grant to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development will provide temporary employment for individuals to remove debris, clear downed trees and perform other clean-up activities in Hickman and Humphreys counties.

On Aug. 21, the National Weather Service reported up to 17 inches of rain fell in the area in less than 24 hours, causing deadly flash floods and inundating hundreds of homes. On Aug. 23, the Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a major disaster declaration which allows for the state to request federal assistance for recovery efforts.

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, National Dislocated Worker Grants temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events that cause significant job losses.