Gov. Lee requests major disaster declaration for FEMA aid for storm that knocked out power for 300K

Ice coats Nashville power lines as a winter storm rolled through Tennessee on January 23-24, 2026. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Gov. Bill Lee requested an expedited major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump Thursday in hopes of speeding up federal recovery assistance for 23 Tennessee counties most impacted by a massive winter storm.


The storm and bitterly cold temperatures that followed left swaths of the state with dangerously icy roadways, decimated thousands of trees and knocked out power for more than 300,000 customers, including more than 225,000 in Nashville alone.

President Trump approved an emergency declaration for the state earlier this week, making immediate emergency support and limited reimbursement available to state and local governments as they work to restore power, clear roadways and provide lifesaving services to residents. If granted, the major disaster declaration could open up additional federal resources for Tennessee, including more funding for repairs to public infrastructure. 

A major disaster declaration can also make federal assistance available to individuals impacted by the storm, providing financial assistance or crisis support services. As of Thursday, no financial assistance has been approved for individuals. 

“Winter Storm Fern has created significant damage in communities across Tennessee, and state and local officials, first responders, and volunteers continue to provide critical support,” Lee stated in a news release. “I’m grateful to President Trump for granting federal resources to support Tennesseans, and am hopeful our Major Disaster Declaration will be approved quickly.”

Lee’s request includes both public and individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The request is limited to 23 counties where damage is “​​already evident and expected to easily exceed assistance thresholds,” according to Lee’s office. 

The state is continuing to assess damage and may add more qualifying counties to the request.

FEMA uses per capita cost as a benchmark to gauge whether local and state governments can handle recovery without federal help. Those thresholds currently stand at $4.72 per capita for counties, and $1.89 per capita for states.

But this information serves only as a guideline. Presidents have sole authority to approve or deny a disaster declaration, regardless of whether a state or county meets those thresholds, and not all programs are offered for every disaster. The reasoning behind declaration decisions is not public record.

Lee requested public and individual assistance for the following counties:

• Cheatham
• Chester
• Clay
• Davidson
• Decatur
• Dickson
• Hardeman
• Hardin
• Henderson
• Hickman
• Lawrence
• Lewis
• Macon
• McNairy
• Maury
• Perry
• Robertson
• Rutherford
• Sumner
• Trousdale
• Wayne
• Williamson
• Wilson