NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Nashville is grappling with an estimated $80 million in damage from January's devastating ice storm, according to Mayor Freddie O'Connell, who described it as "an expensive storm" while emphasizing the city's focus on helping residents recover.
FEMA has approved assistance for Nashville-Davidson County and 22 other counties across Tennessee following the destructive winter weather. However, concerns are mounting among residents and city officials about potential delays or disruptions to federal aid as Washington faces the possibility of another government shutdown over Department of Homeland Security funding.
"I am a little concerned about the broader impacts of the shutdown based on what we saw in the fall," O'Connell said. "Unclear yet about the FEMA impacts. FEMA has made contact with our Office of Emergency Management. We, fingers crossed, will start to see their assistance centers opening within a matter of weeks, but we're paying very careful attention to that."
The mayor's concerns stem from previous shutdown experiences that caused real hardship in Nashville, including the temporary loss of SNAP benefits for families in need. This time, the potential impact could affect disaster recovery programs like FEMA that many community members are counting on for assistance.
While federal aid remains uncertain, O'Connell praised local partners and organizations stepping in to fill gaps and ensure neighbors have access to critical resources. Two disaster assistance centers have already opened in the community this week, offering guidance, support, and hope for those rebuilding their lives after the storm.
The ice storm's $80 million price tag reflects extensive damage across the Nashville area, highlighting the storm's severity and the significant recovery effort still ahead for the community.
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