Free legal services are available via the Disaster Legal Services (DLS) program for those affected by the line of tornadoes that hit counties in Middle and West Tennessee in December. DLS helps individuals in federally declared disaster areas receive free legal assistance related to insurance claims, consumer and housing issues, government benefits, replacement of important documents and other issues. Services include a legal helpline 844-HELP4TN (844-435-7486) operated by Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS). Individuals and households in the 12 Tennessee counties designated under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Major Disaster Declaration are eligible to apply for financial and direct services. Lawyers from across the state are invited to complete this online form to volunteer with DLS. West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS) will host a clinic for storm survivors on March 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. Volunteer attorneys will meet with clients via video conference and will receive case information prior to the event. Contact WTLS Pro Bono Coordinator Andy Cole for more information. DLS is a partnership between TBA, TALS, FEMA, WTLS, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Nashville Bar Association and Tennessee Fair Housing Council. 

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has asked federal emergency management officials to help assess whether counties affected by recent winter storms can receive funds to assist with power restoration, Fox 17 News reports. The move comes after U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, asked Lee to seek emergency assistance. The request asks FEMA to work with the state emergency department to conduct a preliminary damage assessment after freezing rain, sleet and snow impacted West and Middle Tennessee counties earlier this month. More than 30,000 homes and businesses remained without electrical service in Memphis this week, according to Memphis Light, Gas & Water.

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, has asked Gov. Bill Lee to seek a federal disaster declaration for Memphis after last week’s ice storm, the Daily Memphian reports. Cohen, in a letter to Lee, wrote that an estimate from Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division shows $13 million in preliminary damage. That number is already more than the required minimum to qualify for federal disaster assistance. Cohen says several relief funds administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency could be of specific use, including the Public Assistance Grant Program for help with “debris removal, repair, replacement or restoration of disaster-damaged and publicly owned facilities.”

Workers impacted by tornadoes this past December can now apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) through the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, WSMV reports. The assistance comes in addition to the federal assistance made available through FEMA. Workers in Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Gibson, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Obion, Stewart, Weakley and Wilson counties who meet certain requirements are eligible to apply at www.jobs4tn.gov. In addition, those who are rebuilding after a major storm can apply for a sales tax refund from the Tennessee Department of Revenue, News Channel 5 reports. The Natural Disaster Sales Tax Relief program covers purchases of major appliances, furniture and building supplies.

President Joe Biden on Friday approved a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Tennessee after parts of the state were damaged by straight-line winds and tornadoes on Dec. 10-11. The declaration makes federal funding available for Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Gibson, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Obion, Stewart, Sumner, Weakley and Wilson counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide. The White House has more on how residents and business owners can apply for assistance.  

President Joe Biden has granted an emergency declaration for nine Tennessee counties that were hit by last weekend’s severe weather, WPLN reports. Cheatham, Decatur, Dickson, Dyer, Gibson, Lake, Obion, Stewart and Weakley will now qualify for federal reimbursement for their emergency measures. Gov. Bill Lee has also asked for a Major Disaster Declaration, which would offer more federal resources for individuals, more money for long-term solutions and prevention of future disasters and would allow the state to replace damaged buildings, roads or recreational facilities. Additionally, Lee yesterday signed Executive Order 94 which temporarily waives certain state and federal rules, allows health care professionals to work outside their licensed state and prompts hotels and other vacation rentals to host tornado victims.

Gov. Bill Lee today requested a federal disaster declaration for nine counties affected by this weekend’s storms, which also impacted Arkansas, Illinois and Kentucky. The request asks for assistance with debris removal and emergency protective measures in Cheatham, Decatur, Dickson, Dyer, Gibson, Lake, Obion, Stewart and Weakley counties. The governor said a request for individual assistance likely will be made after officials are able to fully assess damage. Tornadoes and other severe storms Friday and Saturday resulted in fatalities, damaged structures in more than 20 counties, and disrupted power and utility operations, according to the Tennessean. The paper also reported today that at least 11 tornadoes touched down in Middle Tennessee. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is providing information for those who would like to help as well as for those in need of assistance.

The deadline has passed, but federal help may still be available for survivors of August flooding that impacted Dickson, Hickman, Houston and Humphreys counties. According to WPLN, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration are still accepting appeals and late applications. So far, federal authorities have approved about $16 million in disaster relief, 128 low-interest loans, and $7 million for about 2,500 households. Flood survivors who missed the application deadline or believe they did not receive enough funds are encouraged to submit an appeal as soon as possible.

The Tennessee Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs is warning consumers about flood damaged vehicles that may appear in used car markets following Hurricane Ida. In the past, vehicles from hurricane impacted areas have been sold to unsuspecting consumers without proper disclosure, the office reports. To avoid purchasing a flood-damaged vehicle, consumers should check a car’s history using its VIN number, review the title before signing a contract or paying money, examine the car for signs of flood damage, and get the car inspected by an independent mechanic. Learn more here.

When disaster strikes, the legal aid agencies are available to help those impacted, Bridget Stewart writes in a guest column for the Tennessean. Stewart, a disaster response attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands, highlights the ways legal aid can help: assisting residents with replacing lost documents, providing guidance on getting homes restored to a livable condition, helping clients understand insurance policies and rental agreements, helping victims apply for FEMA funds and providing education about price gouging and unscrupulous contractors. Those in Middle Tennessee who need assistance should call l800-238-1443 or visit www.las.org/tornado-relief.