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2021

Tennessee – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding

Page last updated: 09/20/2021

On this Page:

Overview Important Deadlines FEMA Assistance Safety and Shelter Resources Legal Assistance News & Information

Overview

Tennessee Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding (DR-4601)

Tennessee was struck by powerful storms from March 25th thru April 3rd, 2021. On May 8th, President Biden declared a major disaster.

People in the following counties are eligible to receive federal disaster assistance:

  • Davidson
  • Williamson
  • Wilson

A toll-free legal assistance hotline is now available to support survivors. This service is a partnership between the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA), the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS), the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (ABA YLD), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other local organizations. Low-income individuals facing legal issues as a result of these severe storms and flooding may cal l1-844-HELP4TN (1-844-435-7486).

You can find the entire press release here (PDF download).

Important Deadlines

FEMA Application Deadline

Wednesday, July 7th, 2021

More Info

Appeal your FEMA decision letter

Within 60 days of the date on the determination letter.

Disaster Unemplyment

Thursday, June 10, 2021

More Info

FEMA Assistance

Applications for FEMA Assistance can be submitted by:

Phone: Contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY users can call 1-800-462-7585.

Online: Fill out the application at DisasterAssistance.gov

In-Person: You can also fill out the application at a FEMA Disaster Resource Center (DRC).

Mobile Registration Intake Center: MRICs move around regularly. They will be in an area for a short period of time to help survivors who need registration help. Visit FEMA’s disaster declaration webpage to find more information about the Mobile Registration Intake Center locations and hours.

Disaster Recovery Center: To find a Disaster Recovery Center near you, use the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s DRC locator or text “DRC” and your zip code to 43362 (4FEMA) to locate a Disaster Recovery Center in your area.

FEMA Fact Sheet: Remote Inspections

Due to the COVID-19 nationwide emergency declared by Former President Trump and the need to protect the safety and health of all Americans; FEMA will conduct remote home inspections for disaster survivors until further notice.

This fact sheet provides information about that process. It includes links to PDF and plain text versions.

As of June 1, 2022, FEMA is beginning to transition back to in- home inspections. Remote inspections may still occur if conditions make them necessary again.
What to Expect After You Apply for FEMA Assistance

Created by FEMA, this handout provides a basic overview what to expect after you have applied for assistance.
also available in:
Español
What to Expect After You Apply for FEMA Assistance (Spanish)

Este folleto, creado por FEMA, brinda una descripción general básica de lo que puede esperar después de haber solicitado asistencia.

Safety and Shelter Resources

Please check your local news and local officials for the latest safety and shelter resources.

Access information on Safety and Shelter assistance through the resources below.

American Red Cross Disaster Relief & Recovery Services

Explore resources from the American Red Cross on how to stay safe and recover from a disaster.

Website
Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) Locator

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are accessible facilities and mobile offices you can visit to learn more about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs. You may also visit to ask questions about your case. The DRC Locator helps you find the hours, services, and locations of DRCs near you.

Website
American Red Cross Shelter Locator

If an emergency has forced you to evacuate your home, the Red Cross may be able to help. All Red Cross shelters are free, open to everyone, accessible to people with disabilities, and accepting of service animals. 

Website

A toll-free legal assistance hotline is now available to support survivors. This service is a partnership between the Tennessee Bar Association (TBA), the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS), the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (ABA YLD), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other local organizations. Low-income individuals facing legal issues as a result of these severe storms and flooding may cal l1-844-HELP4TN (1-844-435-7486).

You can find the entire press release here (PDF download).

ABA YLD Disaster Legal Services Hotline

(888) 743-5749

To help meet the growing legal needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division has teamed up with RingCentral Inc. to create a national hotline to connect the Disaster Legal Services Program (DLS) with those seeking civil legal services.

Organization
Tennessee Bar Association

(615) 383-7421

221 Fourth Ave. North
Suite 400
Nashville, TN 37219

Professional association of lawyers.

Organization
Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands

(800) 238-1443

1321 Murfreesboro Pike, Suite 400
Nashville, TN 37217

Provides free civil legal services to low-income people.

Organization
Legal Aid of East Tennessee

865-637-0484

607 W Summit Hill Dr. SW
Knoxville, TN

Provides free civil legal services to low-income people.

Organization
West Tennessee Legal Services, Inc.

(800) 372-8346

P. O. Box 2066
Jackson, Tennessee 38302-2066

Provides free civil legal services to low-income people.

Organization
Nashville Bar Association

The Nashville Bar Association, established in 1831, is a professional organization focused on serving the legal community of Nashville, Tennessee. The NBA is the largest metropolitan bar association in Tennessee with over 2,600 members. Among other things, it provides continuing legal programming for attorneys, skills workshops for young attorneys, networking opportunities for practitioners, and opportunities for pro bono and community service connections across middle Tennessee

Organization
Napier-Looby Bar Association

Guided by Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. immortal words: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” the Napier-Looby Bar Association is a Nashville-based bar association dedicated to the advancement and development of African-American attorneys. Its membership consists of attorneys, in the private and public sectors, as well as judges, law professors, law students, paralegals and other individuals interested in issues affecting the African-American community. In coordinating leadership training, continuing legal education, pro bono and networking opportunities, the NLBA promotes the objectives of the National Bar Association and addresses the needs of the African-American community.

Organization
Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts

The Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Arts is a program of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville. The VLPA provides free legal services to low-income artists and creatives of all disciplines and arts nonprofits. The VLPA may be able to assist artists, creatives, arts-related businesses, and arts nonprofits impacted by the Middle Tennessee tornados. For more information, please email vlpa@abcnashville.org or call 615-460-8274.

Organization
Tennessee Free Legal Answers

Free Legal Answers is a virtual legal advice clinic. Qualifying users post their civil legal question to their state’s website. Users will then be emailed when their question receives a response. There is no fee for the use of the system or for the advice and information provided by the attorney.

ABA Free Legal Answers is a website operated by the American Bar Association (ABA) and by an entity or entities in the state where the client lives.

Organization

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