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
2026-19856, Notice of Award Amount Adjustment for Serious Needs Assistance
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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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