Tennessee Counties Gain Extra Disaster Relief Access
Published Date: 5/6/2026
Notice
Summary
Tennessee just got a disaster upgrade! More counties are now officially recognized as hit hard by the February 2026 disaster, unlocking extra help and money for repairs and emergency services. This means faster aid and more support for folks in those areas starting March 8, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Many Tennessee Counties Eligible for Public Assistance
As of March 8, 2026, the declaration was amended to add Benton, Fayette, Giles, Hamilton, Henry, Humphreys, Jackson, Madison, Montgomery, Morgan, Overton, Rhea, Roane, Sequatchie, Shelby, Smith, Stewart, and Union Counties as eligible for all categories of Public Assistance. This means people and local governments in those counties can apply for federal public assistance grants tied to the February 6, 2026 disaster.
Three Counties Designated for Permanent Work
Decatur, Dickson, and Hardeman Counties were designated for permanent work (Categories C–G) as of the March 8, 2026 amendment; those counties were already designated for emergency work (Categories A and B). This allows those counties to seek federal funding for permanent repairs and reconstruction related to the February 6, 2026 disaster, including direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program.
Counties Added for Emergency Protective Measures
The amendment adds Anderson, Bedford, Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Cannon, Carroll, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Coffee, Crockett, Cumberland, DeKalb, Dyer, Fentress, Franklin, Gibson, Grainger, Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hancock, Hawkins, Haywood, Houston, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Lake, Lauderdale, Lincoln, Loudon, Marion, Marshall, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Moore, Obion, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Scott, Sevier, Sullivan, Tipton, Unicoi, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, Weakley, and White Counties for emergency protective measures (Category B) including direct federal assistance. These measures relate to immediate protective actions tied to the February 6, 2026 disaster.
Federal Disaster Programs Available (CFDA List)
The amendment lists Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers to be used for reporting and drawing funds for the disaster, including 97.030 (Community Disaster Loans), 97.031 (Cora Brown Fund), 97.032 (Crisis Counseling), 97.033 (Disaster Legal Services), 97.034 (Disaster Unemployment Assistance), 97.046 (Fire Management Assistance Grant), 97.048 (Disaster Housing Assistance to Individuals and Households), 97.049 (Disaster Housing Operations), 97.050 (Disaster Assistance to Individuals and Households—Other Needs), 97.036 (Disaster Grants—Public Assistance), and 97.039 (Hazard Mitigation Grant). These programs are authorized for use in drawing federal funds related to the February 6, 2026 disaster as amended March 8, 2026.
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Related Federal Register Documents
2026-15944, Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
New or modified Base (1-percent annual chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, and/or regulatory floodways (hereinafter referred to as flood hazard determinations) as shown on the indicated Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) for each of the communities listed in the table below are finalized. Each LOMR revises the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and in some cases the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports, currently in effect for the listed communities.
2026-15946, Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations
New or modified Base (1-percent annual chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, and/or regulatory floodways (hereinafter referred to as flood hazard determinations) as shown on the indicated Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) for each of the communities listed in the table below are finalized. Each LOMR revises the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and in some cases the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports, currently in effect for the listed communities.
2026-15943, Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations
Comments are requested on proposed flood hazard determinations, which may include additions or modifications of any Base Flood Elevation (BFE), base flood depth, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundary or zone designation, or regulatory floodway on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports for the communities listed in the table below. The purpose of this notice is to seek general information and comment regarding the preliminary FIRM, and where applicable, the FIS report that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided to the affected communities. The FIRM and FIS report are the basis of the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
2026-15942, Final Flood Hazard Determinations
Flood hazard determinations, which may include additions or modifications of Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, or regulatory floodways on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports have been made final for the communities listed in the table below. The FIRM and FIS report are the basis of the floodplain management measures that a community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having an effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
2026-15938, Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations
Comments are requested on proposed flood hazard determinations, which may include additions or modifications of any Base Flood Elevation (BFE), base flood depth, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundary or zone designation, or regulatory floodway on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports for the communities listed in the table below. The purpose of this notice is to seek general information and comment regarding the preliminary FIRM, and where applicable, the FIS report that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided to the affected communities. The FIRM and FIS report are the basis of the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
2026-15941, Final Flood Hazard Determinations
Flood hazard determinations, which may include additions or modifications of Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, or regulatory floodways on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports have been made final for the communities listed in the table below. The FIRM and FIS report are the basis of the floodplain management measures that a community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having an effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-08896, Tennessee; Amendment No. 1 to Notice of a Major Disaster Declaration
Tennessee just got a disaster upgrade! Four counties—Lawrence, Maury, Robertson, and Wilson—are now approved for more cleanup and rebuilding help, while Decatur, Dickson, and Hardeman get extra debris removal support. This means more federal money and aid are on the way to help folks recover faster, starting from February 13, 2026.
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