The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has designated 14 counties in Tennessee as Primary Natural Disaster Areas due to severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides, and mudslides. This Presidential disaster declaration enables the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to offer emergency credit to producers affected by these natural disasters through emergency loans.
These emergency loans are intended to assist with various recovery needs, including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of farming operations, or refinancing certain debts. The FSA will review loan applications based on the extent of losses, available security, and repayment ability.
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The impacted areas span across multiple states, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. The specific triggering disasters include severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides, and mudslides. The application deadline for these emergency loans is March 24, 2025.
In addition to the primary counties in Tennessee, several contiguous counties in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Ohio are also eligible for assistance.
For more resources, farmers can visit the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, review the Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and use the Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov. To file a Notice of Loss or for inquiries about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center.
FEMA also offers various assistance programs for individuals, public groups including government agencies, and private nonprofit organizations. For more information on the assistance available following a disaster event, visit fema.gov/assistance.
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Preparing for Hurricane Francine’s Impact
Metro Nashville Davidson County is preparing for heavy rain and potential severe weather as Hurricane Francine approaches, with the National Weather Service placing parts of Middle Tennessee under a Marginal Risk for Severe Weather from Thursday evening into Friday morning. Residents are advised to secure outdoor items, check drainage systems, and stay informed through official channels. The NWS recommends having a stocked emergency kit, identifying safe places in the home, and staying updated on local weather forecasts. For safety information and updates, residents can sign up for the Metro Emergency Alert and Notification System (MEANS) program, and visit the NES Power Outage Center and TDOT Smartway Map for power outage tips and current road conditions.