NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the approval of FEMA’s Direct Temporary Housing Assistance for survivors in six Northeast Tennessee counties impacted by Tropical Storm Helene on September 26. The Tennessee counties eligible for this assistance are Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee shared additional guidance on how communities impacted by Hurricane Helene may opt-in to receive immediate financial relief via the HEAL Program, which was established swiftly in the days following the disaster. The $100 million fund directly serves the health and wellness of Tennesseans in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Counties eligible for assistance include Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington. If any additional counties are added to the Major Disaster Declaration for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Categories A through G, they will become eligible for the program.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee unveiled the Helene Emergency Assistance Loans (HEAL) Program, a $100 million fund to directly serve the health and wellbeing of Tennesseans in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Counties eligible for assistance include Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced three more counties have been approved for FEMA’s Public Assistance program. The program is now available to eligible jurisdictions and certain private, non-profit organizations in a total of 12 counties following significant flooding from Hurricane Helene that impacted Northeast Tennessee on September 26.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Revenue announced four tax relief measures for Tennessee businesses and individuals affected by Hurricane Helene.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee highlighted resources available for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene and ways Tennesseans can serve.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee traveled to Greene and Cocke counties to survey storm damage on the ground and meet with survivors, first responders and volunteers following severe weather and flooding from Hurricane Helene. This marks the Governor’s third trip to the region; he participated in aerial surveys and surveyed damage on the ground in Carter and Unicoi counties earlier in the week. Gov. Lee also provided updates on the State’s multi-agency response.

Nashville, Tenn. – As communities in Northeast Tennessee continue to experience significant impacts from Hurricane Helene, Governor Bill Lee provided another update on the State of Tennessee’s ongoing multi-agency response.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced approval of his request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration, making recovery assistance available to eight counties.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee traveled to East Tennessee to survey storm damage on the ground and meet with local officials and victims following severe weather and flooding from Hurricane Helene. Accompanied by Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) Director Patrick Sheehan, Senator Marsha Blackburn, Senator Bill Hagerty, Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger and state officials, the Governor viewed damage and visited impacted communities.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, at the Dunn family’s request, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s office shared that Governor Winfield Dunn passed away peacefully this afternoon, surrounded by family. He was 97 years old.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced that the State of Tennessee will no longer move forward with plans to build a new psychiatric hospital on state-owned land at Moccasin Bend in Chattanooga. The decision is based on initial findings of an ongoing archeological review. This is the first archeological review that has been conducted since the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute was founded in 1961 and the State expects the final report to be delivered in November. The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) and Department of General Services (DGS) oversaw the survey on behalf of the State Building Commission.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced the appointment of Matt Van Epps as commissioner for the Tennessee Department of General Services (DGS), effective October 1. Van Epps will succeed Christi Branscom, who will step down on September 30 after nearly six years of service to Tennesseans.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced appointees to a series of key state boards and commissions.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced three key judicial appointments.