United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and the Tennessee congressional delegation have called on President Donald Trump to quickly approve Governor Bill Lee’s request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for 23 counties in Tennessee. The request follows significant impacts from Winter Storm Fern, which struck the state beginning January 22, 2026.
The letter was co-signed by Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Representatives Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01), Tim Burchett (R-TN-02), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN-03), Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04), Andy Ogles (R-TN-05), John Rose (R-TN-06), Matt Van Epps (R-TN-07), and David Kustoff (R-TN-08).
In their letter to President Trump, the lawmakers wrote: “We respectfully urge approval of Governor Bill Lee’s request for a major disaster declaration for the State of Tennessee due to severe ongoing winter weather beginning on January 22, 2026. We are grateful for your swift approval of the emergency declaration on January 24, 2026.
From January 23 through January 26, Tennessee experienced a multi-phase winter storm producing heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain, and high winds statewide. Snow totals reached up to 10 inches in northwest Tennessee with some counties reporting widespread ice accumulations of up to 1 inch. Prolonged sub-freezing temperatures have caused extensive damage to power, water, transportation, and communications infrastructure. At the height of the storm, approximately 365,000 Tennessee customers were without power, the highest total in the nation, with more than 100,000 customers without power for over three days and thousands remaining without power.
In response, Governor Bill Lee declared a State of Emergency on January 22, 2026, activated the Tennessee Emergency Management Plan, and elevated the State Emergency Operations Center to Level 3. State and local agencies, utilities, and volunteer organizations have conducted extensive life-safety operations, including sheltering, debris removal, emergency power and communications support, and transportation clearance. Despite these efforts, the scale and duration of this storm have exceeded the capabilities and resources of the state, resulting in over a dozen tragic fatalities and significant impacts to critical infrastructure.
On behalf of Tennessee, we respectfully urge approval of this major disaster declaration and activation of FEMA assistance as soon as possible. Our offices are prepared to provide any additional information you may need.”
Winter Storm Fern brought heavy snow—up to ten inches in some areas—and widespread ice accumulations across several counties in northwest Tennessee. The extreme weather led to extensive damage affecting key services such as electricity supply; at one point during the storm about 365,000 residents lost power—the highest number reported nationally—with more than a quarter remaining without electricity for more than three days.
Governor Lee responded by declaring a state emergency on January 22nd. He also activated both statewide emergency management plans and increased operational readiness at state facilities responsible for coordinating disaster response efforts.
The delegation’s letter emphasizes that despite comprehensive actions taken by local authorities—including sheltering displaced residents and clearing roads—the severity of Winter Storm Fern has surpassed what state resources can handle alone. They argue that federal assistance is needed urgently so recovery operations can proceed efficiently.
