(TN) Before you Look for that contractor...

Department of Contractors and Insurance

Board Licensing for Contractors

Tips for working with contractors (PDF)

NOTICE! A Tennessee contractor's license is required BEFORE bidding or offering a price! Reciprocal agreements do NOT allow using another state's license.

Verify Contractor (and Business) License

Contract Revocation and Formal Actions

Problem Contractor Lists

“Contractors that fail to respond to a notice that a complaint has been received by our office are placed on the Problem Contractor List for a period of two years from the date the complaint is closed.”

Take full advantage of all that FEMA has to offer.

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)

FEMA: What information do I need?

FEMA Evacuee Hotel List

FEMA Additional Assistance:
• Crisis Counseling
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance
• Legal Services
• Special Tax Considerations

Small Business Administration Disaster Loans (For Homeowners too!)

Home disaster loans to homeowners and renters to repair or replace disaster-related damages to home or personal property
There is no need to apply separately for both FEMA and a SBA loan. When you apply for one, you are actually applying for booth. (credit Brenda Wynn)

RENTERS CAN AND SHOULD FILE A CLAIM WITH FEMA. Their claims will be taken on a case-by-case basis.

PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! Document your damages and losses with photos!

Additional information provided by Congressman Jim Cooper's office.

http://twitter.com/drsyb

Via Twitter, Dr. Sybril Bennett's thoughts on slow response of national media to cover devastating #nashvilleflood

1. Fewer lives lost which was a miracle.

2. People helped people. There wasn't a real conflict or fight about resources. The Governor and Mayor worked together.

3. The financial impact is local. Impressively Nashville sustains itself primarily through tourism. We are not Wall Street.

4. Nashville is not a big political player whether red or blue.

5. Nashville is perceived to be a lower income place. Stereotypes had an impact. It's sad and unfair.

6. The Gulf of Mexico and Times Square Bomb incident were already taking network resources. No excuse, just the facts.

7. There was no warning at all prior to this catastrophe. We weren't on anybody's radar screen in advance.

8. The Weather Ch. owned by NBC had the video, CNN too. Still, it was a weekend and the staff may not have been alert. Cuts!

9. Location, since its not NYC, Chicago or even ATL, national reporters aren't here, local ones were doing their local BEST.

10. No excuses, just thoughts. The City isn't "connected.” Network didn't have or listen to staff with relatives in area.

I Need to Laugh

C'mon. You know you want to laugh!

Really. We need to CONSERVE H2O.

I feel like I am back in high school on a backpacking trip carrying around a my precious water bottle and purification tablets. Ok, it is not that bad here in Nashville, but if we don't do our part, it can be.

Please scale back your water usage. Coolpeoplecare.org provides helpful hints to guide us in ways to cut back:

What One-Half Looks Like (www.coolpeoplecare.org)

• Don't wash your car. Don't.
• Cut off your sprinkler system at home and at work (we're looking at you, Bicentennial Mall).
• Smell your armpits. Do you stink? No? Don't shower. Your friends will still be your friends.
• Don't wash your clothes unless you're out of underwear. Put on jeans and a T shirt and go to work. If your boss gives you crap, let him know there is a flood.
• Let the dirty dishes stack up. No one will judge you.
• Use and reuse the same drinking glass all day.
• If you must shower, get in and out in four minutes. Set a timer. Be diligent.
• Don't shave. Armpits, legs, face, back, or knuckles.
• Your dog? He can also go without a bath for a few days.
• It's time to use a bucket. Any time you turn the faucet on, catch the water and use it to wash what needs washing. Don't toss it out or just let it run down the drain.
• Don't use a hose to clean off debris and dirt from your sidewalk. Let it dry and use a broom. If you're unfamiliar with what a broom is, click here.
• You don't have to flush your toilet every time you use it. We'll let you be the judge on how often you flush. Just see what happens if you let it mellow for a bit.

Nashville Flood Resources

Hello Friends,

Below is the beginning of a list of important resources for our community, friends and family. Check back periodically for updates.

• FEMA Claims and Assistance: http://www.fema.gov/assistance/index.shtm or call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA.

• Click here for Nashville Government Flood Updates and Advisories includes road closures and emergency shelters.

• Congressman Jim Cooper staff Attorney Lana Skelo & Director of Community Outreach Brenda Wynn to spearhead Disaster Assistance Requests. 615-736-5295.