U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, Democrat from Memphis, recently announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will reimburse Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) for repairs made to the power grid after flooding and storms in April 2025. The Commercial Appeal reports that FEMA will reimburse MLGW for 75% of its cost to repair infrastructure, nearly $2 million, for removal and replacement of utility poles, transformers, wire and other materials and the labor required to restore power. “The storms and tornadoes that ripped through our region in April of 2025 did serious damage to our power grid," Cohen said in a statement. "I am pleased to see FEMA’s reimbursement for most of the costs MLGW had to incur to restore power.”

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell has named Jaz Boon, a member of Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison, as the new chair of Nashville Electric Service’s board, according to the Nashville Post. Boon will succeed Vanderbilt University Law School’s Anne Davis, who is stepping down after five years. Boon focuses his litigation practice on counseling clients on business disputes, commercial matters and environmental health and safety compliance. He previously was assistant general counsel for Bridgestone Americas, Inc. The news comes after a comprehensive independent review of NES’ response to January’s Winter Storm Fern was released this week. The review, commissioned by the NES board, was led by Bill Harbison of Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison and Aubrey Harwell of Adams & Reese, according to WSMV. The Nashville Banner and Axios Nashville report on the review’s findings.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on June 10 approved more than $50 million in funding to support 39 recovery projects in Tennessee communities affected by Tropical Storm Helene and past disasters. Notable recovery projects FEMA will fund include $20.2 million to Tennessee Emergency Management Agency for emergency protective measures and debris removal efforts following Helene and April 2025 severe storms, and $8.9 million to the Tennessee Department of Transportation for the removal of more than 107,000 cubic yards of construction and demolition debris and 17,000 cubic yards of vegetative debris generated by Helene. Read more in a press release.

Deadlines for winter storm financial assistance are approaching. According to the Nashville Banner newsletter, residents have until Wednesday to apply both for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Small Business Administration disaster assistance related to the January ice storm in Nashville. The local in-person disaster recovery center closed over the weekend, but individuals can still visit www.disasterassistance.gov to apply for funding for home repairs, temporary housing expenses and other costs associated with the storm. Find more information, including about assistance for business owners, click here.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has obligated more than $36 million in disaster assistance to Tennesseans affected by January’s severe winter storm, according to the Tennessee Lookout. Since President Donald Trump approved individual assistance on April 11, FEMA has approved more than 16,000 applications, including $7.9 million in housing assistance and $28.6 million in other aid for disaster-related expenses. The storm caused widespread damage across the state, leaving more than 300,000 utility customers without power and damaging thousands of trees. Assistance remains available to eligible residents in 29 Tennessee counties through FEMA’s individual assistance program.

The window will soon close for Tennesseans to apply for FEMA aid in the wake of the January ice storm. According to WPLN, the federal agency has distributed nearly $24 million among more than 10,000 applicants so far. The money reimburses people for disaster-related expenses, including temporary lodging and home repairs. It can also go toward medical bills and transportation related to storm injuries. This level of assistance was approved by the president in April and is open to people in 29 counties. The deadline is June 10. Learn more by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov.

The Tennessee Department of Revenue has announced that winter storm survivors who receive individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also may be eligible for a state tax refund on certain items purchased to replace or repair damaged property. The Natural Disaster Sales Tax Refund program provides eligible residents with a refund of up to $2,500 on appliances, furniture and building supplies, according to News 5. Survivors may file a claim within one year of their FEMA decision letter. Learn more on the department’s website or access the claim form.

A story in yesterday’s issue of TBA Today announced a federal tax deadline extension for residents of Middle Tennessee counties impacted by this past winter’s storms. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) now has extended that deadline to June 8 and expanded eligibility to all counties in the state. The extension provides additional time for individuals, households and businesses to file their 2025 returns and make any required payments. Read more in the updated news release from the agency.

More than 20 Tennessee counties are getting an extension on filing their federal taxes, according to an announcement from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Individuals, households and businesses in most of Middle Tennessee’s counties now have until May 22 to file their 2025 tax returns and scheduled payments. The extension was granted as part of federal disaster relief for the winter storm that impacted those areas in late January. No action is required to take advantage of the extended deadline. The IRS says that it automatically identifies taxpayers in those areas and “applies filing and payment relief.” View the IRS announcement for the full list of counties.

Tennessee will receive a higher level of disaster relief for Winter Storm Fern, with individual cash assistance approved for 29 counties, WPLN reports. Storm survivors in Benton, Carroll, Cheatham, Chester, Clay, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Dyer, Fayette, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Lewis, Macon, Madison, Maury, McNairy, Montgomery, Perry, Robertson, Rutherford, Shelby, Sumner, Trousdale, Wayne, Williamson and Wilson counties now can apply for aid. Assistance may be used for disaster-related expenses such as temporary housing, home repairs, replacement of belongings and other needs. Applications are available at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.