January 2026 Winter Weather

Image of Bulldozer clearing debris from Winter Storm Fern

The FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Program provides essential grant funding to help local governments, state agencies, public utilities, and certain nonprofit organizations recover after a federally declared disaster. 

  • FEMA Public Assistance Categories A–G: Benton, Cheatham, Chester, Clay, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Fayette, Giles, Hamilton, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Henry, Hickman, Humphreys, Jackson, Lawrence, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Madison, Maury, Montgomery, Morgan, Overton, Perry, Rhea, Roane, Robertson, Sequatchie, Shelby, Smith, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Union, Wayne, Williamson, Wilson
  • FEMA Public Assistance Category B: Anderson, Bedford, Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Cannon, Carroll, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Coffee, Crockett, Cumberland, DeKalb, Dyer, Fentress, Franklin, Gibson, Grainger, Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Haywood, Houston, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Lake, Lauderdale, Lincoln, Loudon, Marion, Marshall, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Moore, Obion, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rutherford, Scott, Sevier, Sullivan, Tipton, Unicoi, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, Weakley, and White.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) reminds eligible applicants that FEMA has approved an extension for the Request for Public Assistance (RPA) deadline related to Winter Storm Fern.

The RPA deadline for the original 23 counties that were initially declared is March 25, 2026. These counties include: Cheatham, Chester, Clay, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Macon, Maury, McNairy, Perry, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Trousdale, Wayne, Williamson, Wilson.

The RPA deadline for the counties that have been added to the declaration is April 7, 2026. These counties include: Anderson, Bedford, Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Cannon, Carroll, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Coffee, Crockett, Cumberland, DeKalb, Dyer, Fentress, Franklin, Gibson, Grainger, Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Haywood, Houston, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Lake, Lauderdale, Lincoln, Loudon, Marion, Marshall, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Moore, Obion, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Scott, Sevier, Sullivan, Tipton, Unicoi, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, Weakley, and White.

If you are in need of assistance, please continue to work with any community organizations or nonprofits in your county. If you have an immediate need, please contact your local emergency mangagement agency.

Find all of TEMA's flash reports and news releases on our Newsroom page

All flash reports, press releases, and media briefings will be added to this section throughout the winter weather event. If you are a member of the media and have a question or interview request, please email TEMA.Info@tn.gov.