FEMA closes individual aid applications for April storms after approving $7.2M

A business on Davis Drive in Dyersburg, Tenn. was completely surrounded by flood water on April 10, 2025 after torrential downpours caused the North Fork of the Forked Deer River to overflow. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency closed disaster assistance applications Tuesday for residents affected by severe storms and flooding in April.

The agency approved roughly $7.2 million in aid to 975 individuals between June 19 and Aug. 19, according to FEMA’s website. This includes $4.3 million in housing assistance and $2.9 million to assist with other needs.

Homeowners, renters, students, self-employed individuals, ranchers and farmers in Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Dyer, Hardeman, McNairy, Montgomery, Obion and Wilson counties were eligible to apply for disaster assistance, which is meant to help individuals pay for uninsured losses resulting from the disaster.

While the initial application period for the severe storms in Middle and West Tennessee is now closed, FEMA does accept late applications for an additional 60 days. Those who submit late applications must include an explanation for the delay, though FEMA does not require applicants to submit documents supporting the reason for the delay. Late applications are reviewed on a “case-by-case basis,” according to FEMA’s website.

Housing assistance helps individuals cover temporary housing costs and pay for structural home repairs that are not covered by insurance. These funds may also be used to replace wells, furnaces and septic systems. 

Funding for “other needs” can help homeowners and renters offset costs of other disaster-related out-of-pocket expenses not covered by insurance.

Affected individuals can apply for individual assistance through DisasterAssistance.gov, through FEMA’s mobile app or by calling 800-621-3362. Additional resources can be found at fema.gov/disaster/4878.

Private nonprofits that provide “non-critical services of a governmental nature” may also be eligible for low-interest physical and economic injury disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. More information is available at sba.gov/disaster or 800-659-2955.