Gov. Bill Lee requests ‘Major Disaster Declaration’ to clear the way for federal assistance for counties affected by severe weather

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee submitted a formal request for a Major Disaster Declaration, according to a statement released by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) Tuesday, April 22.

The request was made Thursday, April 18, and, if approved, would allow for the allotment of federal funds to assist counties affected by severe weather and flooding that occurred April 2-6.

The request was filed in addition to an Emergency Declaration that Lee requested April 2 that has since been approved by President Donald Trump.

“The severe storms and tornadoes that struck Tennessee have caused significant damage and hardship for many communities across our state,” said TEMA Director Patrick C. Sheehan. “We appreciate Governor Lee’s swift action in requesting a Major Disaster Declaration, which is an essential step in securing the federal assistance needed to help Tennesseans recover and rebuild.”

Lee has submitted requests for relief through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance program, as well as its Individual Assistance program.

If approved, FEMA’s Individual Assistance program could help with “rental assistance, home repair, and personal property replacement, in addition to other uninsured or underinsured disaster losses” in Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Dyer, Grundy, Hardeman, Hickman, Humphreys, Lewis, McNairy, Montgomery, Obion, Perry, Sumner and Wilson counties, according to TEMA’s statement.

Additionally, if the governor’s request for FEMA Public Assistance is approved, it could aid local and state governments, utility companies and certain private organizations in paying for “emergency protective measures and debris removal, and for repairs to roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings, and equipment as the result of a federally declared disaster.”

The request for FEMA Public Assistance aid has been made for the following counties: Carroll, Cheatham, Crockett, Davidson, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Grundy, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Perry, Shelby, Tipton and Wilson.

The State’s requests come in response to damage sustained during “an unprecedented period of severe weather and prolific rainfall” that affected West and Middle Tennessee.