(The Center Square) – As middle and western Tennessee continue to recover from winter storm Fern, Gov. Bill Lee is asking for expedited federal assistance.
The governor requested help from President Donald Trump for 23 counties affected by the snow, ice and Arctic blast. The request includes public and individual assistance.
“Winter Storm Fern has created significant damage in communities across Tennessee, and state and local officials, first responders, and volunteers continue to provide critical support,” said Lee. “I’m grateful to President Trump for granting federal resources to support Tennesseans, and am hopeful our Major Disaster Declaration will be approved quickly.”
The counties included in the request are Cheatham, Chester, Clay, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Maury, Perry, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Trousdale, Wayne, Williamson and Wilson.
Tennessee’s congressional delegation sent a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to approve Lee’s request.
“Prolonged sub-freezing temperatures have caused extensive damage to power, water, transportation, and communications infrastructure,” the letter said. “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.”
Power outages remain the state’s top concern, according to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. More than 114,000 customers were still without power as of 8 p.m. CST on Wednesday, according to the agency.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he was sending a team to Tennessee to help with storm cleanup. TCS was unsuccessful prior to publication getting confirmation with Lee’s office.
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton questioned Newsom’s request.
“Gavin ‘will say anything’ Newsom once again trying to bump national polling numbers,” Sexton said on social media. “Who did you speak to in Tennessee because all have denied it?”
