Blackburn Applauds President Trump’s Approval of Major Disaster Declaration Request in Wake of Winter Storm Fern

Blackburn Applauds President Trump’s Approval of Major Disaster Declaration Request in Wake of Winter Storm Fern
February 6, 2026
NASHVILLE, Tenn. –
U.S. Senator
Marsha Blackburn
(R-Tenn.) released the following statement after President
Donald Trump
approved Governor
Bill Lee’s
request
for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration following significant impacts from Winter Storm Fern:
“The Tennessee Department of Health has reported dozens of fatalities as a result of Winter Storm Fern, and thousands of Tennesseans are still without power and displaced from their homes,”
said Senator Blackburn
. “We are grateful to President Trump for approving Governor Lee’s disaster declaration request to help individuals, families, and businesses recover from the damage caused by Winter Storm Fern.”
BACKGROUND
Senator Blackburn
led
the Tennessee delegation in urging President Trump’s swift approval of Governor Bill Lee’s request for both FEMA individual and public assistance in 23 counties.
Individual assistance would make federal aid available directly to Tennesseans to help with temporary housing, home repairs, and other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance. Public assistance would provide reimbursement to state and local governments as well as eligible nonprofit organizations for emergency response costs and repairs to damaged public infrastructure.
These counties include Cheatham, Chester, Clay, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Maury, Perry, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Trousdale, Wayne, Williamson, and Wilson.
RELATED
Blackburn
Leads Tennessee Delegation in Urging Swift Approval of Major Disaster Declaration Request in Wake of Winter Storm Fern
https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/index.php/2026/2/general/blackburn-applauds-president-trump-s-approval-of-major-disaster-declaration-request-in-wake-of-winter-storm-fern