Spencer Brittian shovels ice in front of East Nashville's Bad Luck Burger Club days after Winter Storm Fern hit Middle Tennessee with a layer of ice. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
President Donald Trump has not yet approved federal assistance for individuals affected by a severe ice storm that caused extensive damage to power lines in late January, at one point leaving more than 300,000 Tennesseans without electricity.
Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Tennessee on Feb. 6, opening up federal funding opportunities for longer-term recovery. The declaration approved public assistance — including federal cost sharing for debris removal, emergency measures and the repair or replacement of roads, bridges and public facilities — for 15 counties. An additional eight counties were previously approved for emergency assistance.
But programs that could help uninsured or underinsured individuals recoup some of their losses remain under federal review, according to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.
There is no timeline for Federal Emergency Management Agency decisions, which are ultimately made by the president.
Traditionally, states work with FEMA to provide damage estimates for public and private property, which can indicate if costs are too substantial for the state, county or individuals to bear. But this information serves only as a guideline, and not all programs are offered for every disaster. The reasoning behind declaration decisions is not public record.
TEMA encouraged residents impacted by the storm to document damage to their property, save receipts for disaster-related expenses and file insurance claims. Residents can self-report damages to their property through TEMA’s website.
The state submitted documentation for FEMA to evaluate, but has not yet publicly released damage estimates.
The winter weather led to the deaths of 29 Tennesseans, according to the state’s health department.
In Nashville, 230,000 customers were without power at the event’s peak, and some customers went without power for nearly two weeks. Nashville Electric Service reported that power was restored to all customers capable of receiving it as of Feb. 7.
The utility replaced at least 561 broken utility poles and is responsible for all repairs to power lines, but building owners are responsible for repairing or replacing damaged equipment that allows their building to connect to power. NES cannot reconnect power until all building equipment is in working order.
Fifteen counties have been approved for full public assistance, including federal cost sharing for debris removal, emergency measures, and the repair or replacement of roads, bridges, water control facilities, buildings, equipment, utilities, parks and other public facilities:
- Cheatham
- Chester
- Clay
- Davidson
- Hardin
- Henderson
- Hickman
- Lewis
- Macon
- McNairy
- Perry
- Sumner
- Trousdale
- Wayne
- Williamson
Eight counties were approved for emergency protective measures only, including:
- Decatur
- Dickson
- Hardeman
- Lawrence
- Maury
- Robertson
- Rutherford
- Wilson
This story was originally produced by Tennessee Lookout, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Alabama Reflector, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
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Author: Cassandra Stephenson