U.S. News
Trump Disaster Relief Spurs Southern Recovery Efforts
Clear Facts
- President Donald Trump approved major disaster declarations for Tennessee and Mississippi following Winter Storm Fern.
- The decisions enable FEMA Public Assistance to support recovery in affected counties.
- The storm left over 111 people dead across more than 12 states and caused severe power outages and travel disruptions.
President Trump has provided major disaster declarations to Tennessee and Mississippi in response to the devastating Winter Storm Fern. This move opens up immediate federal assistance through FEMA, aiding both states in their recovery efforts after the storm swept 40 states at the end of January.
These approvals allow state and local governments, as well as qualified private nonprofit organizations in 15 Tennessee counties, to access federal resources for disaster-related expenses.
“This approval ensures federal resources are available to support Tennesseans, and we are grateful for the Trump Administration’s unwavering support,” said Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves expressed appreciation for the support, stating, “Mississippi will be able to continue our response efforts and better help Mississippians recover.”
The storm, which began on January 23 in the Southwest and grew stronger as it tracked east, brought significant ice, snow, and rain, largely impacting the Southeast with thick ice accumulations. This led to massive power outages, especially in Tennessee and Mississippi, with nearly a million Americans losing electricity at the height of the crisis.
Some areas remained without power more than two weeks later, particularly in Mississippi, highlighting the prolonged effects of the severe weather event.
Travel was heavily affected as well, with over 32,000 flights canceled nationwide during the storm. Nashville saw over 0.47 inches of ice, while areas in Mississippi experienced close to 1 inch of accumulation on roads and infrastructure.
Multi-vehicle pileups shut down major highways, leaving motorists stranded for hours. In total, the death toll from the winter storm has exceeded 111 across at least a dozen states.
President Trump stated that he authorized around $100 million in federal funding to support recovery initiatives in both states, underscoring his administration’s commitment to fast and effective disaster response.
Both Tennessee and Mississippi remain focused on restoring services and providing relief to hard-hit communities as they continue to recover from the storm’s aftermath.
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