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GERMANTOWN, Tenn. — The Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen have approved a disaster declaration after heavy rain and flooding caused widespread damage in the city last week.

Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo will now have to make a formal request with Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, who would then have to contact the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA).

TEMA would then have to send a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to request a presidential declaration.

If a presidential declaration is granted, residents would then be able to apply for assistance to help cover the costs of repairs, WREG’s Nina Harrelson learned.

In the meantime, officials approved a $250,000 relief fund for residents, which will come from an already established emergency budget.

On June 7, heavy rain and flooding caused a major headache for some residents across the Mid-South, but especially for some living in Germantown. The city told WREG up to 30 homes and dozens of cars, including a fire engine and ambulance, were damaged or destroyed after an estimated 10 inches of rain fell.

Several people even reported having up to three feet of water inside their homes.

Officials said they immediately began going door to door to assess the damage to see if they could get federal funding to help in the cleanup effort. If you experienced property damage due to the heavy rain is asked to call (901) 751-7559

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