MEMBER CENTER
On Sept. 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and proceeded to bring massive amounts of rain to the states of Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee. On Sept. 30, TBA President Ed Lanquist Jr. expressed support for Tennessee attorneys and communities in the state affected by Hurricane Helene, as well as colleagues impacted in surrounding states, saying, “We are saddened by the devastation to our communities and the losses sustained by so many. Many lawyers across the southeast have been affected by the flooding and other wind damage. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected. We will be looking at ways to assist in the weeks to come.” Since then, the TBA has actively been working with partner organizations to plan disaster legal assistance efforts and eventual legal clinics, which will take place following recovery efforts. TBA will publicize legal clinics for storm survivors as well as opportunities for lawyers to help as those events are scheduled, both through its regular publications as well as its social media channels.
State Government Response
Governor's Office
- Executive Order 105 (state disaster declaration issued 9/27/24)
- All statements and press releases from Gov. Bill Lee
- Gov. Lee Surveys Damage, Meets with Impacted Communities in East Tennessee (10/1/24)
- Federal Disaster Declaration Granted to Counties Recovering From Flooding in Northeast Tennessee (10/2/24)
- Gov. Lee Provides Update on Multi-Agency Response to Hurricane Helene (10/3/24)
- Gov. Lee Meets with Survivors, First Responders and Volunteers in Greene and Cocke Counties (10/3/24)
- Gov. Lee, First Lady Highlight Opportunities for Tennesseans to Serve Communities Impacted by Hurricane Helene (10/7/24)
- Federal Disaster Declaration Granted to Additional Tennessee Counties Recovering From Flooding (10/9/24)
Office of Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti
- Skrmetti Issues Warning to Scammers and Price Gougers Following Tennessee’s Devastating Flooding (10/1/24)
- Price Gouging & Disaster Recovery FAQ
Tennessee State Court System
- Limited Disaster Plan for Trial Courts in First, Second, Third and Fourth Districts (10/4/24)
- Court Activates Rule Allowing Flood Victims to Accept Free Legal Services from Out-of-State Attorneys (10/28/24)
Read the order or access the Rule 47 registration form - Workers’ Compensation Courts Grant Hurricane Relief to Affected Areas: read the order or a press release (11/7/24)
- Supreme Court Extends Disaster Plan for Trial Courts Affected by Severe Flooding: read the order or a press release (11/12/24)
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA)
- Hurricane Helene News & Resources
- Regular “Flash Reports” — updates from state & local governments and partner organizations, including current situation, infrastructure issues and primary needs
- Updated Donation Information
- Tennessee Shelters
- Updates from Tennessee Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (TNVOAD) and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)
Federal Government Response
- Tennessee Emergency Declaration 9/27/24 (authorizing public assistance in eight counties) and White House Press Release 9/28/24
- Tennessee Disaster Declaration 10/2/24 (authorizing individual assistance and additional public assistance in eight counties) Apply here
- Federal Assistance Deadline Extended for Individuals Impacted by Hurricane Helene (11/8/24)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) — Hurricane Helene Response
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) — Tennessee State & Local Referrals
- USA.gov — Hurricane Helene Response & Resources
- Ready.gov — Recovering From Disaster
- DisasterAssistance.gov — information, support, services, and a means to access and apply for disaster assistance through joint data-sharing efforts between federal, tribal, state, local, and private sector partners.
Ways to Help
Tennessee lawyers in need of assistance should contact TBA Access to Justice Director Liz Todaro.
Pro Bono Assistance
- Lawyers interested in providing legal services should complete the TBA's form to indicate willingness and availability
- Sign up with Legal Aid of East Tennessee to assist storm survivors
- Sign up with North Carolina Bar Foundation to provide legal services
Donations
- Donation information from TEMA
- Help Hurricane Helene Survivors in Appalachia (list of ways to help from Nashville Public Radio 9/30/24)
- How to Help Flood Victims in Tennessee (list from Knox News)
- East Tennessee Foundation — Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund
- Volunteer United — Hurricane Helene (Regional United Ways in Northeast Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia)
- How to Help Flood Victims in North Carolina (list from Axios)
TBA's Partner Organizations
- Help4TN Weather-Related Resources
- Tennessee Free Legal Answers
- Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS)
- Legal Aid of East Tennessee
Surrounding States
- ABA Disaster Resources
- North Carolina State Bar Disaster Resources Page and "Katrina Order" for pro bono work in the state
- Legal Aid of North Carolina Resources and directions for applying for assistance
- Federal Disaster Declarations
- Florida: Public assistance 40+ counties and individual assistance for 14 counties
- Georgia: Individual assistance for 11 counties
- North Carolina: Individual assistance for 26 counties & tribal jurisdictions
- South Carolina: Public assistance for 40+ counties and individual assistance for 13 counties
- Virginia: FEMA authorization for 7 counties
- Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center (LADRC) – Provides information for disaster survivors, disaster legal aid attorneys and emergency management professionals (collaboration between Legal Services Corporation and American Red Cross)
Disclaimer: The resources on this page are compiled from publicly available sources and provided here as a service to the Tennessee legal community. Statements or opinions expressed by any of the organizations cited do not necessarily reflect those of the Tennessee Bar Association, its officers, board or staff. The TBA does not directly or impliedly endorse, support or vouch for the authenticity of any representations made.