Key Takeaways
- • Congressman Steve Cohen secured Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funding for Shelby County, Tennessee, following a severe winter storm that struck January 22–27, 2026, with total estimated damages of $6.6 million.
- • The Major Disaster Declaration for Tennessee was approved by President Trump on February 6, 2026, after Cohen's initial advocacy letter to Governor Bill Lee on January 30 requesting inclusion of Shelby County in the state's FEMA assistance request.
- • Damage assessments across Shelby County jurisdictions totaled $4.7 million initially, increasing to $6.6 million in updated assessments, including $2.5 million from Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW), $1.7 million from the City of Memphis, $448,520 from Memphis Shelby County Schools, and $35,738 from the City of Millington.
- • The Public Assistance funding covers emergency protective measures, infrastructure repairs, utilities, roads, bridges, buildings, equipment, and other critical services necessary for community recovery and restoration.
Summary
Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) announced in March 2026 that Shelby County had been approved for FEMA Public Assistance funding to address extensive damage from a severe winter storm that occurred January 22–27, 2026. Cohen's advocacy effort culminated in the county's eligibility for federal disaster relief funds following a prolonged approval process that began with his initial request to Governor Bill Lee on January 30, 2026.
The winter storm, which produced a mixture of sleet, snow, and freezing rain across the Memphis region, caused documented damages exceeding the federal threshold for assistance. Preliminary damage assessments conducted by the Shelby County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency initially reported $4.7 million in losses. As recovery efforts progressed and additional assessments were completed, total estimated costs rose to $6.6 million across multiple jurisdictions and service categories. The breakdown included $2.5 million in damages to Memphis Light, Gas and Water infrastructure, $1.7 million attributed to the City of Memphis, $448,520 in Memphis Shelby County Schools damages, and $35,738 from the City of Millington.
On February 6, 2026, FEMA approved a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Tennessee, triggering the release of federal funds for recovery efforts. Following this approval, Cohen submitted a follow-up letter to Governor Lee requesting an additional Public Assistance declaration specific to Shelby County, emphasizing that updated damage assessments had validated the county's eligibility and that FEMA had confirmed the damages exceeded the Public Assistance threshold. Cohen stated that the funding would be essential for helping Shelby County and its municipalities recover and restore critical services to residents.
The FEMA assistance covers a comprehensive range of recovery expenses, including emergency protective measures, road and bridge repairs, building and equipment restoration, utility infrastructure damage, and other vital community services. Cohen's persistent advocacy through multiple letters and coordination with state officials ensured that local jurisdictions received access to federal disaster relief resources necessary for reconstruction and restoration following the January winter storm event.
The winter storm, which produced a mixture of sleet, snow, and freezing rain across the Memphis region, caused documented damages exceeding the federal threshold for assistance. Preliminary damage assessments conducted by the Shelby County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency initially reported $4.7 million in losses. As recovery efforts progressed and additional assessments were completed, total estimated costs rose to $6.6 million across multiple jurisdictions and service categories. The breakdown included $2.5 million in damages to Memphis Light, Gas and Water infrastructure, $1.7 million attributed to the City of Memphis, $448,520 in Memphis Shelby County Schools damages, and $35,738 from the City of Millington.
On February 6, 2026, FEMA approved a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Tennessee, triggering the release of federal funds for recovery efforts. Following this approval, Cohen submitted a follow-up letter to Governor Lee requesting an additional Public Assistance declaration specific to Shelby County, emphasizing that updated damage assessments had validated the county's eligibility and that FEMA had confirmed the damages exceeded the Public Assistance threshold. Cohen stated that the funding would be essential for helping Shelby County and its municipalities recover and restore critical services to residents.
The FEMA assistance covers a comprehensive range of recovery expenses, including emergency protective measures, road and bridge repairs, building and equipment restoration, utility infrastructure damage, and other vital community services. Cohen's persistent advocacy through multiple letters and coordination with state officials ensured that local jurisdictions received access to federal disaster relief resources necessary for reconstruction and restoration following the January winter storm event.
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