Winter Storm Fern hit West and Middle Tennessee from January 22–27, 2026. The ice storm killed 29 Tennesseans and caused unprecedented damage from downed trees and power lines, leaving thousands without power for days. As of April 11, 2026, FEMA Individual Assistance was approved for 29 Tennessee counties — including Davidson (Nashville) and Montgomery (Clarksville). Metro Nashville is waiving permit fees on storm-related repairs through August 31, 2026.
That window closes faster than most homeowners realize. This is a quick playbook on what help is available, what to fix first, and how to document the work so insurance and FEMA both pay.
FEMA Individual Assistance — what it covers
Eligible homeowners and renters can apply for help with:
- Temporary housing (rental assistance or short-term lodging)
- Home repairs not covered by insurance
- Replacement of essential personal property
- Other serious disaster-related needs (medical, dental, transportation)
Apply through DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362. You can apply alongside an insurance claim — FEMA covers losses your insurance does not.
Nashville Metro permit fee waiver — Davidson County
Metro Codes has suspended permit fees on storm-damage repairs in four categories:
- Building repairs (structural, framing, drywall, roof structure)
- Electrical work (panel, service, fixtures, wiring damage)
- Gas or mechanical (heating and cooling systems)
- Plumbing (frozen and burst pipes, water heaters, fixtures)
Tree removal and debris removal are not in the permit-waiver list — Metro handles debris pickup separately. Roofing is technically “building repair” but most roofers handle the permit administration as part of the job.
Deadline: apply for the permit by August 31, 2026. The fee waiver applies regardless of contractor. The homeowner claims the waiver on the permit application by showing that the work is for January 2026 storm damage. Photos, insurance claim numbers, and contractor scope-of-work documents are typical proof.
Restore Nashville and EWHAP
Metro's Restore Nashville program coordinates storm-recovery resources, including the permit fee waiver above. The Emergency Winter Housing Assistance Program (EWHAP) has approximately $700,000 in mortgage, rental, and utility assistance for Davidson County residents with documented hardship from the storm. Applications reopened April 27, 2026.
For broader help (food, mental health, utilities), the 211 Helpline is the fastest entry point. The Metropolitan Action Commission also has housing assistance reopening April 27.
Montgomery County (Clarksville) — what is different
Montgomery County is among the 21 Tennessee counties eligible for FEMA Public Assistance and on the 29-county list for Individual Assistance. There is no Metro-style fee waiver, but the county has a structural advantage: the HIC license requirement only kicks in over $25,000. That means small-to-mid storm repairs can move faster here than in Davidson County.
For Fort Campbell military families: on-base Balfour Beatty housing has its own maintenance system. Off-base homes (Clarksville proper, Sango, Woodlawn, Oak Grove KY) follow the same private-contractor process as the rest of Montgomery County. If you are mid-PCS and unsure who is responsible, document the damage in writing to your landlord and your housing office, then call a private contractor for the assessment. Rental assistance through FEMA can apply if temporary lodging is required.
What to fix first (priority order)
When everything is broken at once, sequence matters. Here is how most insurance adjusters and FEMA inspectors expect repairs to flow:
- Active safety hazards. Downed power lines (call NES or CDE Lightband first), gas leaks (call the utility), structural collapse risk, sewage backup. These get dispatched immediately and documented later.
- Heat, water, and power restoration. If your heating system is down and it is still cold, that is the priority — frozen pipes cascade fast. Burst pipes and water heater replacements come right after.
- Roof and envelope. A compromised roof drives interior damage every time it rains. Tarp first, permanent repair second.
- Electrical service damage. Panel and meter base damage from downed lines or surges. Required before utility reconnection in many cases.
- Tree removal. Trees on structures first (insurance usually covers). Standing hazards next. Yard cleanup last.
- Cosmetic repairs. Drywall, paint, flooring, siding. After everything structural is locked in.
Documentation that pays off later
Before any contractor touches your house:
- Photos of every damaged area, with at least one wide shot per room
- Photos of any contents damaged or moved out
- Date and time stamps on photos (most phones do this automatically)
- Copies of every contractor scope-of-work and invoice
- Receipts for hotel, food, fuel, or anything else extra you spent because of the storm
Insurance pays based on documentation. FEMA pays based on documentation. Hire your contractors in writing — verbal handshakes do not survive the claims process.
How we can help
Hive Home Services connects homeowners in Davidson and Montgomery County with licensed electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, roofers, and tree services. Every contractor in our network is Tennessee-licensed and insurance-verified. We help document the scope so your insurance and FEMA paperwork have what they need.
Text (615) 813-4701 with your zip code and what is broken — we will dispatch the right pro fast. Or use our dedicated storm-recovery pages:
- Nashville storm damage repair — Davidson County, permit fees waived through Aug 31
- Clarksville storm damage repair — Montgomery County + Fort Campbell, FEMA IA active
The clock is real
The Nashville permit fee waiver expires August 31, 2026. FEMA Individual Assistance has its own application window that closes after a fixed period from declaration. Insurance claim windows vary by policy. None of these get extended on autopilot. If you have storm damage you have been postponing, the cost of waiting goes up the closer you get to the deadlines.