Blackburn Leads Tennessee Delegation in Urging Swift Approval of Major Disaster Declaration Request in Wake of Winter Storm Fern

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) led members of the Tennessee delegation in sending a letter to President Donald Trump urging his swift approval of Governor Bill Lee's request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for 23 Tennessee counties following significant impacts from Winter Storm Fern.

Read the full letter here and below:

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.

CO-SIGNERS

Senator Blackburn was joined by Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) and U.S. Representatives Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.), Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.), Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), David Kustoff (R-Tenn.), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), John Rose (R-Tenn.), and Matt Van Epps (R-Tenn.) in sending the letter.