VIDEO: Gov. Lee Marks one-year anniversary of Tropical Storm Helene with reflection on recovery and resilience

VIDEO: Gov. Lee Marks One-Year Anniversary of Tropical Storm Helene with Reflection on Recovery and Resilience

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency marked the one-year anniversary of Tropical Storm Helene, which brought historic flooding, wind damage, and power outages across Northeast Tennessee. The storm, one of the most severe weather events to impact the state in recent years, tested communities and agencies alike. One year later, Tennessee reflects on the strength of its residents and the unprecedented, coordinated response that continues to drive recovery.

“Helene was an unprecedented disaster for our state, and one year later, many Tennesseans remain forever changed by the loss of life and severe flood damage,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “In the midst of unimaginable tragedy, we saw the very best of Tennessee as first responders, law enforcement, road crews, and volunteers stepped up to serve their neighbors. The redemptive nature of God has brought hope to this community, and Maria and I continue to keep these communities in our prayers.”

From the earliest hours of the disaster, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), Tennessee Department of Human Services, the Tennessee Highway Patrol and many other state and local agencies worked side by side to ensure public safety, reopen critical infrastructure, and provide emergency services to impacted Tennesseans. This partnership across state government highlights the coordination, communication, and collaboration that is prevalent as the state responds to disasters and emergencies.

In addition to the immediate response, the State of Tennessee made historic investments to help impacted communities recover and rebuild stronger:

• In response to the widespread and devastating impacts of Tropical Storm Helene, the state supported local governments with debris removal. TEMA led the overall coordination of the effort, directly overseeing debris removal from selected waterways and working with TDOT to expand debris clearance from the right-of-way along state to include local roads. Together, these projects resulted in the removal of more than 6.2 million cubic yards of debris across the region.
• The state created the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund and distributed more than $42 million across 126 projects for businesses, farmers, forest landowners, local governments, and nonprofits that were impacted as a direct result from Tropical Storm Helene. An additional $25 million was distributed from the fund directly to counties impacted by Tropical Storm Helene to aid in general operations and recovery expenses.
• The State of Tennessee appropriated $240 million, in addition to the usual allocation, to the Disaster Relief Fund to expand the state’s disaster response capacity. The funding reduced the local cost-share for counties and municipalities from 12.5% to 5% and ensured the state covered its portion of the federal disaster assistance match, easing the financial burden on impacted counties.
• The state established the Hurricane Helene Interest Payment Fund, dedicating $110 million to help local governments manage recovery-related borrowing cost. The fund offsets up to 5% interest for up to three years on loans taken out to finance Helene recovery projects.
• The Helene Emergency Assistance Loan Program, a first-of-its-kind program created by Gov. Lee to provide immediate financial relief to impacted counties, distributed more than $94.3 million to local jurisdictions for water infrastructure repairs and debris removal.

Together these initiatives represent an unprecedented level of state support for communities facing the aftermath of a disaster.

“As we reflect on the last year, our focus remains on the families, businesses, and communities who have faced so much and exhibited tremendous perseverance,” said TEMA Director Patrick C. Sheehan. “While much progress has been made in recovering from this devastating disaster, the state will continue to walk with these communities as they continue their recovery journey.”

The State of Tennessee extends its deepest gratitude to all local leaders, emergency personnel, volunteers, and partner organizations who have played a role in helping Tennessee rebuild after Tropical Storm Helene.

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