This page was last updated on February 13, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
With concerns over safety from the January winter storm dissipating, Mayor O'Connell allowed the local state of emergency to expire for Davidson County on Sunday, February 8. To support recovery, Mayor O'Connell through Metro Nashville Departments and local partners is taking steps to ease the financial costs of recovery from the storm for Nashvillians.
Debris Removal Guidance
Beginning Tuesday, February 3 the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) began a series of county-wide residential storm-related vegetation debris collections. There will be multiple county-wide sweeps over the next 2-4 weeks. Metro does not collect brush on private streets or in satellite/self-incorporated cities such as Forrest Hills, Berry Hill, and Belle Meade. Residents of those areas should contact their city officials for the services available.
- Vegetation/Brush should be moved to the curb for future collection.
- There are currently no size guidelines for storm-related vegetation brush piles, but piles should not block utility infrastructure, culverts, storm drains, or drainage ditches, fire hydrants, sidewalks, bike lanes, or travel lanes.
- NDOT is suspending regular residential brush collection services until further notice. Do not submit a hubNashville request for collection.
Davidson County residents can dispose of brush and other yard waste free of charge (trailers will be charged a fee) at Living Earth.
Learn more at NDOT's Brush Collection page.
Support Services
Residents with an unmet need from the storm can go to NashvilleResponds.com and click on the "Share Needs" button to complete the needs tracker, and anyone needing assistance completing the form, can call 2-1-1.
Financial Recovery Resources
The Mayor’s Office is partnering with the Davidson County Assessor of Property to enact legislation that will allow property values to be reassessed if the home was partially or completely destroyed during the storm.
Metro Water Services (MWS), at the direction of the Mayor, is seeking an across-the-board credit to water bills. Legislation will be filed with the Metro Council to authorize the action the week of February 9. Additionally, Metro Water is moving to implement payment plans for people who cannot afford to pay their full bill and will not charge late fees and will not be disconnecting service in February.
Customers that experienced burst pipes or a leak that resulted in a higher bill can contact MWS Customer Care at 615-862-4600 and provide the date and type of repair that was made and receive a leak adjustment.
Metro Codes, at the direction of the Mayor, intends to suspend permit fees related to rebuilding after the storm. Legislation will be filed with the Metro Council this week to authorize this action.
Nashville Electric Service (NES) is implementing a series of relief measures to support financially strained customers in response to the significant hardships caused by the winter storm:
- NES has suspended all service disconnections and late fees through June.
- NES is introducing additional flexibility by offering unlimited payment arrangements for all customers through December 2026. This shift represents a major departure from the current NES policy to ensure that customers can manage their finances during the recovery period.
- To help customers navigate these options, NES will enhance communication channels to provide swift, individualized assistance.
Additionally, the NES Board has approved a $1 million donation to the Winter Storm Recovery Fund.
The Tennessee Titans, through their Home Field Advantage Catalyst Fund, have donated $250,000 to the Metropolitan Action Commission (MAC) to help launch Davidson County's Emergency Winter Housing Assistance Program (EWHAP). This program provides critical support to residents who are unable to cover housing payments due to hardships caused by Winter Storm Fern (2026).
Davidson County Emergency Winter Housing Assistance Program (EWHAP)
Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands offers free legal services, including eviction right to counsel. Visit the Legal Aid Society website to find free self-help resources and find upcoming free legal clinic dates.
How to Help
Hands On Nashville (HON) is coordinating volunteer opportunities in support of Winter Storm Fern recovery. Today's community-wide service initiatives are focused on debris cleanup and assisting impacted neighborhoods.
Residents interested in volunteering or learning about additional service opportunities can visit United Way's website for registration details and guidance.
We strongly encourage organizations with volunteer opportunities to post their opportunities with VOAD via Hand On Nashville. This will verify volunteer opportunities and streamline city-wide efforts, offering operational safety to all volunteer participants.
Donations to this fund will be used to address current and emerging needs of those impacted by Winter Storm Fern. Funds will be used for food, supplies, cleanup, debris removal, and more as additional needs emerge. Funds will be used until either all needs are met or funds are exhausted. If any funds remain after all needs are met, they will be shifted to a disaster response fund for future need.