County Disaster Response and Mitigation Resources
TCSA is proud to partner with state and federal agencies, including (but not limited to) TEMA, FEMA, NACo, and the Tennessee General Assembly, to equip counties with the tools and expertise needed to face natural disasters and other emergencies. Together, we work to strengthen the capacity of local emergency management officers to protect communities and accelerate recovery efforts when disasters strike.
Through collaborations with organizations like TEMA’s Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) and FEMA’s Public Assistance programs, we ensure counties receive essential training, resources, and funding to mitigate risk, respond effectively, and rebuild stronger. TCSA also supports NACo’s Intergovernmental Disaster Resilience initiatives, which emphasize collaboration across all levels of government to improve emergency preparedness and response systems.
From policy advocacy to hands-on training, TCSA is dedicated to helping Tennessee counties prepare for the unexpected. Check the list below for partner organization websites:
Disaster Preparedness: GIS Flood Prediction Tools
January 2025: Stantec worked with TCSA to share new updates to its critical flood prediction tools and software, which could assist all of Tennessee’s 95 counties in disaster preparedness and flooding mitigation. As natural disasters continue to impact Tennessee communities, county governments need accurate and consistent planning software to prepare for such disasters. Stantec’s latest software release allows counties to rise to the challenge of proper planning and mitigation in the face of such natural disasters.
Watch the latest video to view the January 2025 webinar. Click the link below to access and download the slide presentation from Stantec.
Disaster Response: Strengthening Resilience in the Face of Unprecedented Damage
March 2024: TCSA partnered with Cooley Public Strategies to introduce new tools and resources available to Tennessee county officials. Some tools that will be presented during the webinar include:
Resilient Tennessee Revolving Loan Fund – The Resilient Tennessee Revolving Loan Fund empowers local communities to access federal grants programs that otherwise would be out of reach. Local governments can leverage long-term, low-interest loans from the fund to finance hazard mitigation projects that build resilience at the local level. This allows smaller communities the flexibility needed to fund existing services and programs while looking ahead toward disaster preparedness.
Flood Predictor Tool – a new digital technology that can rapidly analyze regional flood risks using real-time and historical data to support critical planning decisions on the state and local level.
Mesonet – Historical trends in data and the real-time information provided through a mesonet system can give emergency management officials advanced warning of severe weather, predict areas that are likely to flood, and allow for better warning systems, preparedness, and mitigation efforts.
