A coalition of legal groups, including the TBA, recently announced that residents impacted by spring storms, tornadoes and flooding in Davidson, Williamson and Wilson counties now have access to a free legal assistance hotline. The service, a partnership between the TBA, Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services, Legal Aid Society, ABA Young Lawyers Division and Federal Emergency Management Agency, allows those in federally declared disaster areas to receive free legal assistance with insurance claims, replacement of important documents, mortgage-foreclosure problems, landlord-tenant problems, government benefits and other needs. Those living in the affected counties between March 25 and April 3 are eligible for the service and can start the process by calling 844- HELP4TN (435-7486) or posting questions online. Those impacted also are encouraged to register with FEMA online or by calling 800-621-3362. In addition, volunteer lawyers are needed to provide legal information, advice and representation to those affected. Those willing to help should complete this online form.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee recently announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will grant his request for a major disaster declaration to help 13 counties impacted during severe winter storms in February, WSMV reports. The counties are Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Moore, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Scott, Shelby and Smith. The declaration means they will be able to seek reimbursement for emergency work and the repair or replacement of damaged facilities and infrastructure. The storm in mid-February brought rain, heavy snow, ice and very cold temperatures, resulted in power losses for more than 20,000 Tennesseans, and caused six fatalities.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today approved Gov. Bill Lee’s request for an emergency declaration following the bombing in downtown Nashville on Christmas Day, the Tennessean reports. Lee requested FEMA’s assistance on Dec. 26, asking for help with debris removal and emergency protective measures.

Gov. Bill Lee requested an emergency declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) last week for financial assistance following the Christmas Day bombing in downtown Nashville, Fox17 reports. The request specifically seeks to reimburse Davidson County for costs associated with debris removal and emergency protective measures. FEMA says the request is "under review."

The deadline for Chattanooga area residents to apply for FEMA aid for storms in mid-April is June 23. The disaster declaration for the storms makes federal funding available to affected individuals as well state and local recovery efforts in Bradley and Hamilton counties. Individual assistance includes 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. Those impacted can begin the application process at disasterassistance.gov and get help by calling 800-621-3362. In addition, the declaration makes funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work as well as repair or replacement of facilities damaged in six other counties: Campbell, Marion, Monroe, Polk, Scott and Washington.

Legal service organizations and bar associations are providing support in response to two federal disaster declarations for tornadoes and severe storms that struck in middle and east Tennessee over the past two months. A toll-free legal assistance hotline (1-844-HELP4TN) is available to support survivors of the disasters and more information about services, including remote legal clinics, is available at www.HELP4TN.org. Volunteers are needed to provide legal information, advice and representation to those affected. Attorneys interested in volunteering should complete this online form. Assistance is also available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration. The deadline for assistance applications related to the March tornadoes is May 4 (possible extension pending) and June 23 for the April storms.

President Donald Trump today issued a disaster declaration freeing up federal assistance for eight Tennessee counties slammed by heavy storms and tornadoes in mid-April, the Times Free Press reports. The president's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals as well state and local recovery efforts in Bradley and Hamilton counties. Individual assistance includes 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. Those eligible for assistance can begin the application process at disasterassistance.gov and can get help by calling 800-621-3362. In addition, the declaration makes funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work as well as repair or replacement of facilities damaged in six other counties: Campbell, Marion, Monroe, Polk, Scott and Washington.

After a tornado hit the Chattanooga area late Sunday, local officials say they are now ready for volunteers to help, Nooga.com reports. Those interested in volunteering should fill out this form. To coordinate a large group of volunteers contact Brooke Satterfield. The city also is accepting donations at the Hamilton Family YMCA. Items needed are non-perishable food items, blankets, personal hygiene items, baby items, cleaning supplies, boxes and packing material and storage containers. To give financially, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga has partnered with the United Way of Chattanooga to launch the Tornado Relief Fund, which will go to nonprofits providing immediate and long-term services.

More than a month after a series of deadly tornadoes hit West and Middle Tennessee, the legal community continues to provide support and advice to those affected. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that over 5,000 registrations have been filed by affected Tennesseans, and while on-site Disaster Resource Centers have closed to minimize risks from the COVID-19 virus, applicants can still register online or by phone in advance of the May 4 deadline. Legal assistance is available via multiple remote options, including the toll-free helpline 1-844-HELP4TN (1-844-435-7486), the Tennessee Free Legal Answers online service and remote clinics sponsored by legal aid organizations and bar associations. Information about all of these resources is available at www.HELP4TN.org. Attorneys interested in volunteering to help disaster survivors can complete this online form.

Lawyers in the 15th Judicial District will hold a free phone legal clinic in Wilson County this Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Local attorneys will offer free assistance on legal issues for those affected by the March tornadoes. Those needing assistance may sign up here or call 615-451-1880 to schedule a time.