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Response operations continue at the Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) site in Hickman and Humphreys counties following the October 10 explosion. The Humphreys County and Hickman County Sheriff’s Offices, in coordination with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Response Team, remain the lead law enforcement authorities on the ground. Multiple local, state, and federal partners are assisting with the investigation and recovery process. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is utilizing advanced forensic and innovative identification technology to assist with victim identification and to help families receive closure. This process requires careful coordination between investigators, forensic specialists, and medical examiners. Due to the extensive damage and the presence of hazardous materials, this work is proceeding slowly and methodically to ensure the safety of responders and the integrity of the investigation. Teams must continue clearing the area of active explosives before comprehensive recovery operations can take place.

Response efforts remain underway at the Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) site in Hickman/Humphreys counties following the October 10 explosion. Due to the extensive debris and the potential presence of explosive materials, response operations continue to progress slowly and methodically. Controlled detonations will be conducted periodically at the site throughout the day to safely dispose of unstable or hazardous materials. Nearby residents may see black smoke and hear or feel the detonations as they occur.

Response efforts remain underway at the Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) site in Hickman/Humphreys counties following the October 10 explosion. Multiple law enforcement agencies from local, state, and federal levels are actively assisting in operations. The Humphreys County and Hickman County Sheriff’s Offices and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Response Teams are serving as the lead law enforcement authorities on the ground with the assistance of the Fort Campbell Explosive Ordinance Disposal team. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Sixteen individuals remain unaccounted for.

Response efforts continue following the October 10 explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) in Hickman/Humphreys counties. Emergency responders from across the region remain on scene, working alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Response Team, which is assisting with scene examination and investigative support. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Officials have confirmed that the number of unaccounted individuals has decreased from 18 to 16, after verifying that two people previously believed to be on site were alive and not at the facility at the time of the explosion.

A total of 18 local, state, and federal agencies are collaborating on the ongoing investigation and response. This coordinated effort is focused on ensuring public safety, supporting impacted families, and determining the cause of the incident. At the request of the Hickman and Humphreys emergency management agencies, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has deployed District Coordinators and continues to fulfill requests to include five pallets of water, personnel, and communications support. TEMA is actively monitoring the situation.

A total of 18 local, state, and federal agencies are collaborating on the ongoing investigation and response. This coordinated effort is focused on ensuring public safety, supporting impacted families, and determining the cause of the incident. At the request of the Hickman and Humphreys emergency management agencies, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has deployed District Coordinators and continues to fulfill requests to include five pallets of water, personnel, and communications support. TEMA is actively monitoring the situation.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is partnering with Lowe’s and local emergency management agencies for Tune It Tuesday, a statewide effort to program NOAA Weather Radios on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) are recognizing September 2025 as Preparedness Month with a commitment to helping all Tennesseans become “Ready to Recover” from emergencies and disasters.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) encourages Tennesseans to monitor National Weather Service forecasts and take preparedness steps as significant rainfall continues to impact the Southeast Region. On August 13, 6.42” of rainfall was measured and a Flash Flood Warning was issued for parts of Hamilton County. This rainfall represents the second-highest amount on record for a 24-hour period in Hamilton County according to the National Weather Service. This excessive amount of precipitation resulted in portions of the county flooding, and some areas remain under water. As a result of this weather event, the Tennessee Department of Health has reported and confirmed three weather-related fatalities.

Tennesseans who experienced damage or losses from early April’s severe weather, tornadoes, and flooding in the western and middle regions of the state have two weeks left to apply for federal disaster assistance.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) has mobilized additional resources to Central Texas to aid ongoing response and recovery operations following catastrophic flooding across the state

In response to the catastrophic flooding that has impacted Texas, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) has coordinated with the Memphis Fire Department to deploy a Canine Search Team—Human Remains Detection (CST-HRD) team to Kerr County, Texas, through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).

Today, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency announced the awarding of $41,353,959 from the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund (GRRF) to support needs across the Helene-impacted communities.

Eligible entities are required to attend an applicant briefing if they plan to submit a FEMA Request for Public Assistance (RPA). The current deadline to submit a RPA is July 19, 2025. At these briefings, information will be presented on becoming an applicant, eligibility, and documentation. TEMA staff will go over program requirements, special issues, payments, final inspections, and closeout. If your organization needs assistance submitting an RPA, please email TEMA.PA@tn.gov. Please note, if assistance is requested to submit an RPA, eligible applicants are still required to attend the applicant briefing.