Tennessee Attorney General (AG) Jonathan Skrmetti on Monday released a statement warning Knoxville-area residents to guard against scammers exploiting the May 10 earthquake that impacted the region. “Unscrupulous scammers find every opportunity to target vulnerable citizens, particularly the elderly,” Skrmetti said. "Always be sure to thoroughly research contractors who offer to work on your home, get multiple quotes and only hire reputable professionals." For guidance on avoiding scams, visit the AG's Consumer Protection website.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee formally requested a major disaster declaration from the federal government to make federal assistance available to the West and Middle Tennessee counties impacted by severe weather and flooding on April 2-6. The request follows an emergency declaration approved on April 3 and the completion of damage assessments across impacted counties. The new request asks for approval of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) individual assistance and public assistance programs. If approved, the declaration would make individual assistance available to Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Dyer, Grundy, Hardeman, Hickman, Humphreys, Lewis, McNairy, Montgomery, Obion, Perry, Sumner and Wilson counties and public assistance to Carroll, Cheatham, Crockett, Davidson, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Grundy, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Perry, Shelby, Tipton and Wilson counties. Read more in a statement from the governor.

Local governments, nonprofits and businesses in 14 East Tennessee counties can now apply for a share of the $100 million available from the state to help those affected by the remnants of Hurricane Helene, according to WBIR. The legislature created the Governor's Response and Recovery Fund in January during a special session at Gov. Bill Lee's request. The fund is intended to address local disaster needs, including those caused by Helene in late September. The deadline to apply is May 31. For more information, visit the Tennessee Emergency Management website.

As a result of the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that began on April 2, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a disaster declaration for the entire state of Tennessee. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) then extended various federal due dates to Nov. 3 for taxpayers located in the disaster area. Consistent with the IRS’s decision to extend federal due dates, the Tennessee Department of Revenue will approve, on a case-by-case basis, extension requests from affected taxpayers who are unable to file returns for Tennessee taxes because of the impact of the storms and flooding beginning on April 2. If the department grants the extension request, it will apply to filing and payment due dates that occur between April 2 and Nov. 3. Affected taxpayers will have until Nov. 3 to file returns and make any payments (including quarterly estimated franchise and excise tax payments) originally due during this period. Read more from the department.

Last week, Gov. Bill Lee and other officials toured areas in Selmer hit by tornadoes and flooding that devastated countless homes, News Channel 9 reports. Lee declared a state of emergency Wednesday in anticipation of the storm, and President Donald Trump issued an emergency declaration for federal funding to provide aid. "There are confirmations of deaths across the state, but we also know there are potential other deaths that have not been confirmed ... It's too early to know," Lee said. As of Saturday, the Tennessee Department of Health confirmed 10 weather-related deaths, and nearly 62,000 people were without power in Middle Tennessee, the Tennessean reports. Read more from the governor's office.

An investigation by the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA), released Wednesday, found that workers at an East Tennessee plastics company who died in flooding from last year’s Hurricane Helene had time to evacuate, though by “makeshift routes,” the Associated Press reports. The report concluded that Impact Plastics Inc. “exercised reasonable diligence to dismiss employees and direct them to leave the site in this emergency situation.” An attorney representing one of the families of a worker who died alleges that TOSHA’s report overlooks witness testimony, critical text messages, emergency alert logs and photographic evidence. The report relies on the fact that some Impact Plastics employees did escape the flood and notes that the investigation was hindered by “phone service disruptions, language barriers and other challenges,” and that the flooding destroyed the company’s workplace safety records. In addition to TOSHA, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is probing the six deaths, with that investigation still ongoing.

President Donald Trump approved a federal disaster declaration for all counties in the state of Tennessee following severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that began April 2. The action authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to save lives; protect property, public health and safety; and lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe. Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. No individual assistance is authorized at this point. News reports indicate that a suspected tornado hit Selmer in West Tennessee early today. At least four people are dead in the state, Tennessee Lookout reports, including one each in Carroll, Fayette, McNairy and Obion counties. The Commercial Appeal has images from hard-hit Selmer.

The Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS) will host a free webinar on March 25 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT. "Disaster Legal Services: What Attorneys Should Know" aims to equip attorneys with the necessary knowledge to assist clients affected by disasters. Registration is available online.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced last week that more relief money will be on its way to East Tennessee by March 21. The funds are a part of a more than $100 billion aid package that Congress passed in late December 2024. The American Relief Act was signed into law by former President Joe Biden and offered a 90-day deadline for funds to be dispersed. The act allocates $8 billion to rebuild damaged roads and highways, $12 billion in grants to help communities and individuals recover and $2.2 billion in low-interest loans for businesses, nonprofits and homeowners; aids farmers and ranchers; and gives the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) $29 million to help to pay for temporary housing, home repairs, medical expenses or other disaster-related needs. Knox News has the story.

The Washington County Bar Association is asking for volunteer lawyers to help residents of northeast Tennessee with legal needs following Hurricane Helene. The Advocacy Committee of the Washington County Long Term Recovery Group is a group of volunteers continuing to assist residents affected by the hurricane. Those interested in helping with intake or assisting with pro bono representation should contact Melissa Reading, 423-794-4009. The next meeting of the committee is March 19 at noon EDT via Zoom.