Today, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has expanded Public Assistance (PA) eligibility to additional Tennessee counties for impacts from Winter Storm Fern.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) announces that FEMA has approved an extension of the Request for Public Assistance (RPA) deadline related to Winter Storm Fern to March 25, 2026.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is reminding eligible applicants that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Request for Public Assistance (RPA) deadline for the 23 counties that were approved for Public Assistance through the Major Disaster Declaration is March 8, 2026, while the remaining 72 counties that were declared through the Emergency Declaration is March 25, 2026, following a FEMA-approved extension.
As Tennessee approaches the spring severe weather season, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is partnering with the National Weather Service (NWS) to raise awareness about the growing risks posed by severe weather and to encourage Tennesseans to take action before storms strike.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is providing guidance on federal disaster recovery programs currently supporting communities impacted by Winter Storm Fern.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved FEMA Public Assistance (PA) to support eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations with disaster-related response and recovery costs. Public Assistance helps cover eligible expenses associated with emergency work and the repair or replacement of damaged public infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, utilities, and public buildings.
Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that President Trump has approved Tennessee’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration following Winter Storm Fern that impacted West and Middle Tennessee counties on January 24-27, 2026. This approval makes FEMA Public Assistance available for eligible government entities and certain private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, in 15 counties to support response and recovery efforts, including reimbursement for qualifying disaster-related costs. This is in addition to the eight counties that have already been approved for Category B, Emergency Protective Measures, Public Assistance.
Many Tennesseans affected by Winter Storm Fern are continuing to transition from immediate response into recovery, and now is the time to stay alert to remaining hazards while beginning cleanup and repairs. Use caution around downed power lines, unstable trees or limbs, and debris. If you’re using a generator, operate it outdoors only—never in a garage or enclosed area—to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep checking on neighbors who may still need help, especially older adults and people with medical needs, and continue keeping phones charged as power and services return to normal.
Many Tennesseans impacted by Winter Storm Fern are transitioning from immediate response to recovery, and now is the time to take practical steps to stay safe while beginning cleanup and repairs. Continue using caution around lingering hazards—watch for downed power lines, unstable trees or limbs, and use generators outdoors only, never in a garage or enclosed space, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Check on neighbors who may still need assistance, particularly older adults and those with medical needs, and keep phones charged as restoration and services continue to normalize.
In response to Winter Storm Fern, state and local partners continue working together to support communities most impacted by prolonged power outages. Thanks to a generous donation from Elon Musk and xAI, the state received 500 generators, and they have now been fully distributed to the most impacted communities across Tennessee to help residents meet urgent needs. Distribution is being coordinated locally to ensure resources reach the people who need them most. In Davidson County, Nashville Office of Emergency Management is coordinating delivery to residents. In other impacted counties, local emergency management agencies are managing distribution through established recovery operations and community partners.
In response to Winter Storm Fern, state and local partners are working together to help communities most impacted by prolonged power outages. Through a generous donation from Elon Musk and xAI, the state received and distributed 500 generators to local partners across Tennessee to support residents with urgent needs in the most impacted counties.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency continues to urge Tennesseans whose homes have been damaged due to Winter Storm Fern to report their damages through TEMA’s Damage Assessment Survey. Examples of reportable damage include burst pipes, water damage, and trees that have fallen on your home. These survey results are a critical step in the validation process for FEMA Individual Assistance but does not guarantee assistance.
On Jan. 28, Governor Bill Lee requested an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for 23 counties in Tennessee, seeking both FEMA Individual Assistance and Public Assistance. An expedited request may be made when the state believes impacts in affected communities may meet federal thresholds, allowing the process to begin as quickly as possible to support Tennesseans in need.
Very cold weather continues statewide for the next few days with dangerously cold wind chills. Overnight low temperatures will drop into the single digits to teens, with negative wind chills possible. Sunday highs will be in the mid-30s across most of the state to 20s in East Region. Scattered snow showers will taper off overnight Saturday into Sunday morning. These winter conditions continue to impact travel, infrastructure, and recovery efforts across affected regions.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is asking anyone whose home has been impacted by recent events to complete a new, easy-to-use survey to report any damages.