Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam Tuesday requested a presidential disaster declaration for nine counties as a result of extreme winter weather on March 2-4.
The federal assistance programs would provide access to a 75 percent reimbursement of the eligible costs to Carroll, Cheatham, Dickson, Fayette, Haywood, Houston, Madison, Shelby, and Tipton counties. This request also includes the hazard mitigation program on a statewide basis.
“This storm had a major impact on the state, and local and state agencies, voluntary organizations and electrical cooperatives planned and responded to a degree that saved both life and property,” Governor Haslam said.
An arctic cold front moved into Tennessee on Sunday morning, March 2, bringing colder temperatures and winter precipitation that did not end until the early evening of Monday, March 3. Significant snow and sleet accumulations were recorded with some lesser amounts of ice/freezing rain. Peak power outages reached to over 75,000 customers, some of whom were without power for up to six days.
Schools, private businesses, and local and state operations and services, including interstate commerce and tourism, were affected by this winter storm. A lack of power forced business, government, university, K-12, and daycare closings.
The state, local governments and electrical utilities spent more than $12,232,215 in preparation for, response to, and recovery from the storm’s impact.
Governor Haslam seeks public assistance for all the counties in the request for debris removal, emergency protective measures and repairing roads, bridges, water control facilities, buildings, utilities and recreational facilities.
Additional information about state and federal assistance for affected counties will be released as details become available.