Flash Report #15 - Winter Weather

HIGHLIGHTS

• Today, Governor Bill Lee announced that President Trump approved a Major Disaster Declaration, which includes FEMA Public Assistance for 15 counties in addition to the eight counties that have already been approved for Category B, Emergency Protective Measures, Public Assistance.
• The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville remains activated at a Level 3 – State of Emergency to support statewide coordination in response to Winter Storm Fern.
• Both the TBI Hotline and the Winter Storm Fern Information Line have ended operations today, Feb. 6.
• TEMA has created a survey to self-report damages to homes as a result of Winter Storm Fern. Report your damages.
• The Tennessee Department of Health continues to report 29 weather-related fatalities as a result of Winter Storm Fern.
• Price gouging is prohibited. If you have experienced a business that is price gouging, file a report to Tennessee’s Office of the Attorney General.
• Emergency Service Coordinators (ESCs) from TDOT, TDEC, TDCI, TDH, THP, TN Department of Human Services, and more are monitoring the situation and standing by to provide assistance to local jurisdictions. 

 

CURRENT SITUATION

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.

FEMA Individual Assistance (IA), which can provide direct help to eligible survivors, and Hazard Mitigation assistance, which can help communities reduce future risk, are currently under federal review. The State of Tennessee continues to work closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local partners to pursue every available form of assistance and connect Tennesseans with resources as recovery continues. 

FEMA Public Assistance is available for Cheatham, Chester, Clay, Davidson, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Perry, Sumner, Trousdale, Wayne, and Williamson counties. 

Other counties who have already been approved for Category B, Emergency Protective Measures, Public Assistance include Decatur, Dickson, Hardeman, Lawrence, Maury, Robertson, Rutherford, and Wilson.

Additional counties may be added if ongoing assessments determine that federal criteria have been met.

We are continuing our operations and are coordinating with community organizations and nonprofits to assist with finding avenues for survivor assistance as this disaster transitions from immediate life-safety response to recovery and finding ways to fill unmet needs.

Many properties have weatherheads that will need to be replaced because of Winter Storm Fern. In most cases, repairs to the weatherhead or service mast attached to your home are the homeowner’s responsibility. Please use a licensed electrician and coordinate with your electric utility for reconnection. Davidson County: Call 211 to be added to a needs list for weatherhead replacement assistance. TEMA is working to identify similar options for other impacted counties.

We continue to hear reports of survivors who have experienced businesses who are seeing price gouging take place. If you believe you have been a victim of price gouging, or see any kind of price gouging, please file a complaint online through the Tennessee Office of the Attorney General.

Many have begun debris cleanup on private property. Please make sure you are following debris separation guidelines to assist with the speedy removal of debris. Your county may have specific guidelines to follow, so please check with them first before you begin separating. 

As conditions allow, begin tracking and documenting storm impacts to support recovery and any potential future assistance. Take clear photos and videos of damage, make a simple inventory of affected items, and keep receipts for storm-related costs. TEMA has created a damage assessment survey to help assess statewide impacts and document damages necessary to support the disaster declaration request. Additionally, if you have homeowners, renters, or auto insurance, you can send this information to your provider to start a claim as soon as possible to establish losses and help with next steps if a federal declaration is issued. 

As a reminder, both the TBI Hotline and the Winter Weather Fern Information Line are ending operations today at 5 p.m. CT. If you have a need for wellness checks or need additional information about resources, please contact your local emergency management agency. 

Cut-and-Toss Team Operations

Since the beginning of the response, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has been coordinating cut-and-toss operations through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation State Parks, in addition to federal resources from the U.S. Forest Service and local crews. Over the course of operations, these crews assisted with clearing fallen trees to open up roadways for utility crews and responders. Crews have cleared all roads that were identified and any remaining road clearing needs will begin transitioning to local support. 

 

Power Outages

• As of 1:30 p.m. on February 6, more than 2,500 customers are without power statewide. 
• Lineworkers and other crews are working around the clock to restore power as quickly as possible.
• The public is reminded to stay clear of downed power lines and assume all lines are energized.

Warming Centers

Many warming centers and overnight shelters that were opened for Winter Storm Fern are beginning to make plans to close. These centers and shelters are locally managed. Be sure to check the notes on the shelter locations as information may change. If you need assistance or have questions about shelters for your area, please contact your local Emergency Management Agency. You can find all available warming centers and shelters on TEMA’s interactive shelter map.

 

Tennessee Department of Transportation

Before you get on the road, check current road conditions on the TDOT SmartWay website.

Tennessee National Guard

Since the storm began, Tennessee National Guardsmen have cleared debris from more than 937 miles of road throughout the state, performed wellness checks, assisted at 13 warming centers, and have helped with transportation.

 

Tennessee Highway Patrol

THP continues to respond to traffic crashes and provide assistance to stranded motorists. 

 

Tennessee Department of Health

• The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed 29 weather-related fatalities due to Winter Storm Fern:
  

            o   Six fatalities in Shelby

            o   Three fatalities in Davidson

            o   Three fatalities in Knox

            o   Two fatalities in Fayette

            o   Two fatalities in Hardin

            o   Two fatalities in Hawkins

            o   Two fatalities in Henderson

            o   Two fatalities Hickman

            o   Two fatalities in Obion

            o   One fatality in Cheatham

            o   One fatality in Dyer 

            o   One fatality in Hancock

            o   One fatality in Haywood

            o   One fatality in Johnson

The Tennessee Department of Health has also confirmed three weather-related fatality due to the separate winter weather that began impacting East Tennessee on Friday, Jan. 30.

            o   One fatality in Greene

            o   One fatality in Sullivan

            o   One fatality in Washington

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is reporting systems with impacts. Residents should continue to monitor guidance from their local water system providers and remain alert for any protective actions that may be issued. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has created a real-time dashboard that lists all of the impacted water systems and any protective actions the water provider has issued.

 

Tennessee Department of Human Services

If you are a current recipient of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the Tennessee Department of Human Services is prepared to provided replacement SNAP benefits to current SNAP households who have suffered losses due to power outages of 12 hours or more. For more information, including necessary forms, please visit the Tennessee Department of Human Services website.

 

PROTECTIVE ACTIONS/KEY MESSAGES

• Contact your local emergency management agency if you need immediate assistance.
• Use extreme caution when heating homes during power outages. Never use generators, grills, or propane heaters indoors. Use space heaters safely and never leave them unattended.
• Crisis Cleanup is assisting residents with free storm-related property cleanup, including fallen trees. To request assistance, call 844-965-1386.
• Residents who rely on medical devices or refrigerated medications should plan ahead and contact healthcare providers or utilities if power disruptions pose a health risk.
• Turn thermostats down to 68 degrees or lower to reduce energy consumption.
• Do not connect generators directly to your home.
• Stay clear of downed power lines and assume all lines are energized.
• Check on neighbors who may be vulnerable, including seniors and those without power or heat.
• Rely on official sources such as TEMA, local EMAs, TDOT, and utility providers for accurate information.
• Report price gouging to the Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs.
• Call *STAR THP (847) for assistance or emergencies on Tennessee highways.