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.

Obion County Mayor Steve Carr on Sunday declared a state of emergency in the town of Rives, after the Obion River breached levees and flooded the 250-person town. Obion County Emergency Management Agency Director Danny Jowers said that while the damage is devastating to the small community, it’s likely not enough to qualify for federal assistance for disaster recovery, reports the Tennessee Lookout. Gov. Bill Lee toured damage in Obion County and shared information about overnight shelters and warming shelters. The Rives flooding comes weeks after the Tennessee General Assembly approved a disaster relief package for communities recovering from Hurricane Helene on the opposite end of the state.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (DOT) will receive $9.6 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and state officials to clear more than 450,000 cubic yards of debris following Hurricane Helene, officials announced Friday. According to WBIR, the funding, authorized under FEMA's Public Assistance program, is expected to conclude by Feb. 28. The debris removal is taking place across roads and public property in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties.

The state House and Senate today voted in favor of a statewide school voucher bill that had previously eluded Gov. Bill Lee through his first six years in office, the Tennessean reports. Under the bill (SB6001/HB6004), 20,000 students would receive $7,300 subsidies to help pay for private school tuition. Half of the Education Freedom Scholarships would be income-limited to those from families earning less than 300% of the federal reduced-rate income limit, or about $175,000. A second bill (SB6005/HB6005) funding Education Freedom Scholarships, teacher bonuses and school infrastructure also passed. Last night, the House approved millions in relief funds for Eastern Tennessee, which saw flooding from Hurricane Helene in September. The bills approved allow the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance at the request of local governments, suspend certain unemployment eligibility requirements for residents in the disaster area, establish two funds to assist with disaster relief and give 2024 property tax breaks to those whose homes were destroyed or damaged as a result of the hurricane. An amendment to use $50 million from the state’s rainy-day fund for grants to those who lost homes during the disaster was rejected, the Nashville Post reports. WKRN provides additional details about the recovery funds and the Tennessee Transportation Financing Authority (TTFA). The Senate approved SB6003/HB6003, SB6004/HB6002 and HB6007/SB6007 on Wednesday and SB6005/HB6005 today.

The American Bar Association (ABA) is mobilizing to assist victims of the wildfires in Southern California. Since erupting in the Los Angeles area on Jan. 7, the wildfires have reportedly burned more than 60 square miles of land and claimed at least 25 lives, making them some of the most destructive wildfires in the region's history, the ABA Journal reports. The ABA Young Lawyers Division's Disaster Legal Services program has supported survivors in the aftermath of presidentially declared disasters since 2007. Disaster Legal Services has responded to more than 300 declared disasters in 45 states and five U.S. territories. The program is now coordinating the delivery of free legal services in California. Former President Joe Biden declared a major disaster in the state on Jan. 8 and directed federal aid to assist areas affected by the wildfires and straight-line winds. Volunteers can sign up using the Disaster Legal Services volunteer interest form or email director@abaylddls.org. Members can also donate to support free civil legal aid for victims of the Southern California wildfires.