Trump grants state request for emergency declaration
Cars brave the winter weather to travers the I-240 loop through Midtown Jan. 24, 2026. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
President Donald Trump granted Tennessee’s request for an emergency declaration, the state of Tennessee said in a news release Saturday, Jan. 24.
The state submitted the request to the White House and Federal Emergency Management Agency ahead of the winter storm. The declaration will help the state receive federal assistance with the storm.
On Friday, Memphis Mayor Paul Young declared a state of emergency for the city.
The state of emergency will last for seven days — and may be extended in seven-day increments. The emergency declaration allows the city to seek reimbursement for emergency expenses incurred during the storm scheduled to hit Memphis this weekend.
The state of emergency makes it easier for the City of Memphis government to spend money to deal with the storm, waives certain contracting rules and makes it easier to rent equipment or employ permanent or temporary workers, according to the state law that authorizes municipalities to declare states of emergency.
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