Memphis Conference Disaster Recovery

Memphis Conference Disaster Recovery sets up call numbers for persons asking for assistance in storm cleanup and rebuilding.

The Memphis Conference is organizing relief efforts for all persons affected by the May 1, 2010 flooding and tornadoes in West Tennessee.
Five United Methodist disaster relief teams are in place to offer early response, recovery and rebuilding to persons and communities affected by the recent disaster.

Teams, directed by Bill Carr, Disaster Recovery Coordinator for the Memphis Conference, have been working at multiple locations around West Tennessee since the storms ravaged homes and communities.

To continue to provide assistance to West Tennessee residents affected by the disaster, two call centers have been established, one at the Memphis Conference office in Jackson and one at Millington First United Methodist Church in Millington.
Beginning Thursday, May 13, volunteers and staff are manning phones from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday to receive calls for assistance. The numbers are 877-345-8480 (toll-free) for residents throughout West Tennessee, except Millington area residents who should call 901-872-4414.

All but three counties, Weakley, Henry and Lake, in West Tennessee have been declared natural disaster areas and are eligible for help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), according to Bill Carr.

Carr is organizing the conference's disaster relief teams, churches and other volunteers to respond to the needs of any individuals requesting help. "We will help everyone we can as quickly as we can," he said.

For those persons interested in joining the response and recovery effort, please call 877-345-8480 or if in the Millington area, call 901-872-4414.

Donations for recovery efforts may be sent to Memphis Conference Treasurer, PO Box 10667, Jackson, TN 38308-0111 clearly marked for MAC 2010 Flood and Tornado Recovery.

(See information below shared by James R. Allen, Treasurer/Director of Administrative Services, Tennessee Conference.)

Federal Tax Relief is now available for all Tennessee Flood Victims:
For people living in the Tennessee counties that have been declared a disaster area, see this article from Bradly, Arant, Boult Cummings law firm. http://www.babc.com/files/upload/Tax%20Alert%20May%202010.pdf . It reads to me as if an individual can file an amended 2009 tax return and get a tax deduction of the amount of their uninsured flood related property losses in excess of $500.Different rules apply if you take the deduction on your 2010 return - losses in excess of 10% of your adjusted gross income plus $100.
Important point: Keep records NOW of your losses, you can figure out later, after you know what your insurance will cover (if any), whether you can deduct your losses from your 2009 or 2010 taxes. - from James R. Allen, Treasurer/Director, Administrative Services, Tennessee Conference.