TN Dept. of Military releases 16th Flash Report on Winter Storm

4 hours ago

WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News Staff,

Flash Report #16 – Winter Weather

Saturday, February 07, 2026 | 08:18pm

HIGHLIGHTS

A Major Disaster Declaration approves FEMA Public Assistance for 15 counties in addition to the eight counties that have already been approved for Category B, Emergency Protective Measures, Public Assistance.
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville remains activated at a Level 3 – State of Emergency to support statewide coordination in response to Winter Storm Fern.
TEMA has created a survey to self-report damages to homes as a result of Winter Storm Fern. Report your damages.
The Tennessee Department of Health continues to report 29 weather-related fatalities as a result of Winter Storm Fern.
If you have experienced a business that is price gouging, file a report to Tennessee’s Office of the Attorney General.
Emergency Service Coordinators (ESCs) from TDOT, TDEC, TDCI, TDH, THP, TN Department of Human Services, and more are monitoring the situation and standing by to provide assistance to local jurisdictions.

CURRENT SITUATION

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is providing guidance on federal disaster recovery programs currently supporting communities impacted by Winter Storm Fern.

FEMA Public Assistance Approved

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved FEMA Public Assistance (PA) to support eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations with disaster-related response and recovery costs. Public Assistance helps cover eligible expenses associated with emergency work and the repair or replacement of damaged public infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, utilities, and public buildings.

Fifteen counties have been approved for full FEMA PA: Cheatham, Chester, Clay, Davidson, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Perry, Sumner, Trousdale, Wayne, and Williamson.

Eight counties have been approved for FEMA PA Category B (Emergency Protective Measures): Decatur, Dickson, Hardeman, Lawrence, Maury, Robertson, Rutherford, and Wilson.

Category B (Emergency Protective Measures) includes eligible actions taken to save lives, protect public health and safety, and prevent additional damage. Category B approval does not automatically include other categories of Public Assistance related to permanent repairs.

Individual Assistance Still Under Federal Review

FEMA Individual Assistance (IA), which may provide direct support to eligible individuals and households for certain uninsured or underinsured disaster-related needs, remains under federal review at this time.

“Under federal review” means the state has submitted required information and documentation for FEMA’s evaluation of household impacts and unmet needs. No final determination has been issued yet. If IA is approved, FEMA will announce registration details, eligible counties/areas, and application deadlines through official channels.

Guidance for Survivors
While IA is under review, impacted residents are encouraged to:

Document damage (photos and video)
Save receipts for disaster-related expenses (cleanup, temporary repairs, lodging, and essential items)
If insured, initiate or continue insurance claims and keep all related records
Local Resources Available Now
Survivors can also seek immediate assistance through local community organizations, nonprofits, and faith-based partners, which vary by county and may provide cleanup support, supplies, temporary needs assistance, and referrals.

For the most current county-specific resources, residents should follow updates from their local emergency management agency and local government channels.

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency will continue to provide updates as information becomes available, including any federal determination regarding FEMA Individual Assistance.

Power Outages

As of 2:00 p.m. on February 7, more than 900 customers are without power statewide.
Lineworkers and other crews are working around the clock to restore power as quickly as possible.
The public is reminded to stay clear of downed power lines and assume all lines are energized.

Warming Centers

Many warming centers and overnight shelters that were opened for Winter Storm Fern are beginning to make plans to close. These centers and shelters are locally managed. Be sure to check the notes on the shelter locations as information may change. If you need assistance or have questions about shelters for your area, please contact your local Emergency Management Agency. You can find all available warming centers and shelters on TEMA’s interactive shelter map.

Tennessee Department of Transportation

Before you get on the road, check current road conditions on the TDOT SmartWay website.

Tennessee National Guard

Since the storm began, Tennessee National Guardsmen have cleared debris from more than 937 miles of road throughout the state, performed wellness checks, assisted at 13 warming centers, and have helped with transportation.

Tennessee Highway Patrol

THP continues to respond to traffic crashes and provide assistance to stranded motorists.

Tennessee Department of Health

The Tennessee Department of Health has confirmed 29 weather-related fatalities due to Winter Storm Fern:

Six fatalities in Shelby
Three fatalities in Davidson
Three fatalities in Knox
Two fatalities in Fayette
Two fatalities in Hardin
Two fatalities in Hawkins
Two fatalities in Henderson
Two fatalities Hickman
Two fatalities in Obion
One fatality in Cheatham
One fatality in Dyer
One fatality in Hancock
One fatality in Haywood
One fatality in Johnson

The Tennessee Department of Health has also confirmed three weather-related fatalities due to the separate winter weather that began impacting East Tennessee on Friday, Jan. 30.

One fatality in Greene
One fatality in Sullivan
One fatality in Washington

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is reporting systems with impacts. Residents should continue to monitor guidance from their local water system providers and remain alert for any protective actions that may be issued. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has created a real-time dashboard that lists all of the impacted water systems and any protective actions the water provider has issued.

Tennessee Department of Human Services

If you are a current recipient of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the Tennessee Department of Human Services is prepared to provided replacement SNAP benefits to current SNAP households who have suffered losses due to power outages of 12 hours or more. For more information, including necessary forms, please visit the Tennessee Department of Human Services website.

PROTECTIVE ACTIONS/KEY MESSAGES

Contact your local emergency management agency if you need immediate assistance.
Use extreme caution when heating homes during power outages. Never use generators, grills, or propane heaters indoors. Use space heaters safely and never leave them unattended.
Crisis Cleanup is assisting residents with free storm-related property cleanup, including fallen trees. To request assistance, call 844-965-1386.
Residents who rely on medical devices or refrigerated medications should plan ahead and contact healthcare providers or utilities if power disruptions pose a health risk.
Turn thermostats down to 68 degrees or lower to reduce energy consumption.
Do not connect generators directly to your home.
Stay clear of downed power lines and assume all lines are energized.
Check on neighbors who may be vulnerable, including seniors and those without power or heat.
Rely on official sources such as TEMA, local EMAs, TDOT, and utility providers for accurate information.
Report price gouging to the Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs.
Call *STAR THP (847) for assistance or emergencies on Tennessee highways.