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FEMA is actively coordinating with states across the mid-west and central U.S. affected by recent severe storms and flooding to support their locally led response efforts. Residents and visitors should continue to listen to instructions from local officials, monitor local weather alerts and evacuate immediately if told to do so.
President Donald J. Trump approved emergency declarations for Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee, which allows FEMA to identify, mobilize and provide equipment and resources to support state and local efforts. FEMA is also coordinating with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies to leverage their resources and equipment if requested by the state.
To support state partners, FEMA has activated its Regional Response Coordination Centers and the National Response Coordination Center. Urban Search and Rescue teams are deployed to locations in Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennessee to bolster state and local responder operations. FEMA is also coordinating the distribution of meals, water, generators and other commodities if requested by the affected states.
While the effects of the storm are widespread and impact many states simultaneously, each disaster is unique. FEMA continues to support the efforts of state and local partners to address the specific needs of each affected area.
FEMA is Assessing Damage
Damage assessments have begun in the affected areas to help affected states determine if additional federal assistance is needed.
There are two types of disaster declarations made solely at the discretion of the President of the United States through the Stafford Act: emergency declarations and major disaster declarations.
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Emergency declarations: Supplement emergency services provided by state or local governments which is what has been currently declared for Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee. These services include the protection of lives, property, public health, safety or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe.
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Major disaster declarations: For any event that has caused damage beyond the combined response capabilities of state and local governments. This type of declaration provides a wide range of federal assistance programs for individuals (Individual Assistance) and public infrastructure (Public Assistance), including funds for both emergency and permanent work.
Information for Arkansas Residents or Visitors
Information for Kentucky Residents or Visitors
- Residents and visitors can visit the Kentucky Emergency Management website for the latest information.
- Urban Search and Rescue teams are currently deployed to Greenville, Louisville and Moorehead.
- FEMA Mobile Emergency Response Support assets are deployed to Frankfort and Louisville, providing mobile telecommunications, operational support and power generators to support response officials on the ground.
- FEMA Region 8 Incident Management Assistance Team is deployed to Frankfort, Kentucky.
- Emergency Management Assistance Compact task forces, which enable resource sharing across states during disasters, are supporting state and local operations.
- Voluntary evacuations are in place for residents of Nelson County.
Information for Tennessee Residents or Visitors
- Residents and visitors can visit the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) website for the latest information.
- Urban Search and Rescue teams are currently deployed to Lebanon and Memphis.
- Federal response teams are on the ground and coordinating with local and state search and rescue personnel.
- Montgomery and Obion counties have issued voluntary evacuations.
- Roads may be impacted by debris or flooding. The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Smartway map provides the latest information on road conditions.
Keep Informed. Be Prepared. Stay Safe.
Even as rainfall amounts in the area begin to decrease, river and flash flooding may become more widespread and create hazardous conditions. Remember:
- Never walk, swim or drive through floodwaters.
- Do not drive around roadblocks. They may hazards not visible to the eye, such as deep or moving water, hazardous material and more.
- Just six inches of moving water can knock a person down.
- One foot of water can carry away a vehicle.
People in the affected area should continue to listen to instructions from local officials to stay safe.
Find An Emergency Shelter Near You
Shelters are open in each state for people who are unable to return home due to the risks from the storm and possible flooding. To locate the nearest emergency shelters in your area, text "SHELTER" followed by your ZIP code to 43362.
You can also download the FEMA app to find shelters, receive real-time weather alerts, prepare for hazards and access additional recourses. To download the app, visit the FEMA Mobile Products webpage or via text messaging. On an Android device, text "ANDROID" to 43362; on an Apple Device, text "APPLE" to 43362.
Yesterday, FEMA announced that it is expanding the ways people can access flood insurance products.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is making it easier to access flood insurance pricing information by launching a direct-to-customer flood insurance quoting tool. Customers will be able to get a flood insurance policy quote for their property and be provided with local and national carrier information to assist them in purchasing their quoted policy.
This effort means customers have additional ways to learn about flood insurance and connect with companies that service flood insurance policies. By expanding ways for customers to learn about their flood risk and insurance costs on their own terms, FEMA is taking more steps to close the insurance gap and create a more resilient nation.
Flooding is the most common disaster across the United States, affecting about 99% of U.S. counties, and it is not covered under most homeowners’ insurance policies. Insured survivors are more resilient and recover more quickly following a disaster.
On average, 40% of NFIP flood insurance claims occur outside high-hazard areas. That’s why it’s important to protect property with flood insurance, even if one lives in an area with low-to-moderate flood risk, as it brings peace of mind to homeowners and renters no matter where they live.
FEMA encourages homeowners and renters nationwide to learn more about their unique flood risk by accessing the tool on Floodsmart.gov. There is no cost to receive a quote.
Over the next year, the NFIP plans to expand the tool so customers will have the option to purchase policies directly through the tool.
Currently, the National Flood Insurance Program provides about $1.3 trillion in coverage for approximately 4.7 million policyholders in about 22,500 communities across the nation.
To learn what’s covered under an NFIP policy, visit the National Flood Insurance Program webpage.
To have debris removed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), property owners affected by the Los Angeles Wildfires must submit a Right of Entry (ROE) form to L.A. County. The deadline to submit an ROE form has been extended to Tuesday, April 15.
Typically, FEMA’s authority is limited to debris removal in public areas, but in response to the L.A. wildfires, FEMA’s authority has been extended to include single-family residences and owner-occupied multi-family units.
If a property owner opts out of USACE's Debris Removal Program, they become responsible for all permits, inspections and other associated debris removal requirements and costs.
All property owners should submit an ROE form by April 15, either opting into the program or opting out.
You can submit a Right of Entry form to L.A. County in one of the following ways:
Contact L.A. County if you need more information about debris removal:
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 Augusta, Ga. (Feb. 15, 2025) – A disaster survivor receives critical recovery resources during a FEMA Housing Resource Fair.
When Tropical Storm Debby and Hurricane Helene barreled across Georgia, families huddled in hotels and shelters to stay safe. When the skies cleared, the true level of destruction was laid bare: more than 35,200 homes across the state were damaged and more than 1,350 were destroyed. This created a housing shortage, as rental units and other options were quickly occupied by survivors starting their recovery. This left many families without housing options that could meet their needs.
In January, at the request of the state of Georgia, FEMA launched Direct Temporary Housing Assistance to provide a safe, warm and suitable home for eligible families while they find a more permanent solution. As part of our commitment to helping all survivors of these storms, we are hosting Housing Resource Fairs in hard-hit areas of the state.
Held in Appling, Coffee and Toombs counties as well as the cities of Augusta, Savannah, Statesboro and Valdosta, these fairs streamline disaster services and foster collaboration between federal, state and local government agencies and community organizations to support locally driven housing recovery solutions.
By interacting directly with survivors at these events, FEMA can identify survivor’s ongoing needs so they can continue their recovery.
Sometimes, a survivor’s needs extend beyond housing. By bringing the widest possible options for help under one roof, survivors have access to services and information, including health and mental wellness, food banks and community pantries, mold remediation, assistance for veterans, older adults and people with disabilities, legal assistance, employment assistance and resources for affected businesses. While there, they can also find help with home repairs and rebuilding and apply for programs that provide loans and home repair loans and grants, including those for people who live in rural communities.
To date, more than 1,060 individuals attended these fairs. FEMA is planning additional fairs in Berrien, Burke and Jeff Davis counties in the coming weeks.
Now’s the time to prepare for spring storms. Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee and Arkansas have already faced flooding this year. Whether you’re dealing with melting snow, thunderstorms or an urban stream, flooding can happen anywhere.
Prepare now by reading the blog at FEMA.gov.
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Kentuckians and West Virginians Can Apply for FEMA Assistance
Individuals in the designated areas of Kentucky and West Virginia who were affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides in February can apply for federal disaster assistance.
If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot pay for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.
The first step to receiving FEMA assistance is to apply. There are four ways to apply:
- Go online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
- Use the FEMA App.
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as Video Relay Services (VRS), captioned telephone, or other services, give FEMA your number for that service.
- Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To find a Disaster Recovery Center, go online at fema.gov/drc or text DRC and your ZIP code to 43362.
To view an accessible video on how to apply for assistance, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.
Local governments and certain private non-profit organizations in the designated counties are eligible for assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Learn more about FEMA's Public Assistance program by visiting FEMA.gov.
Kentuckians can apply for assistance until April 25. For more information, visit DR-4860-KY.
West Virginians can apply for assistance until April 28. For more information, visit DR-4861-WV.
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