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Hello, friends!
This is Congressman Matt Van Epps, the proud representative of Tennessee’s seventh congressional district.
I’ve been in Congress now for almost two months—and it's been a whirlwind! I’ll fill you in on everything going on in Washington in a future newsletter. For the moment I want to focus on Tennessee.
Winter Storm Fern
I am praying for everyone throughout Tennessee and the region as we continue to recover from this historic winter storm. Tragically, multiple people have already lost their lives in Tennessee. On top of that tens of thousands are still without power.
Get the help you need!
I strongly encourage anyone who needs it to visit a warming shelter. You can find the information here. You can also contact TEMA for information or assistance at: 1-844-4TENN-4U (1-844-483-6648). If you'd like to schedule a welfare check for a loved one with TEMA call: (800) 824-3463.
Thank you, President Trump
On Saturday, January 24th, President Trump approved disaster relief for Tennessee. The Emergency Declaration grants federal assistance to support immediate emergency protective measures and coordination of resources as both state and local officials continue response operations related to hazardous winter conditions.
I also want to thank Secretary Noem for authorizing FEMA to send specialized debris teams to clear roads and restore power in Tennessee. The Volunteer State appreciates these crews from the U.S. Forest Service stepping in!
On Thursday, I joined a letter led by Senator Marsha Blackburn calling on President Trump to approve Governor Lee's major disaster declaration for the state of Tennessee in light of winter storm Fern. You can read the full letter here.
Thank you to those on the frontlines of storm management
I would like to specifically thank our local first responders, line workers, healthcare workers, and road crews for their tireless efforts during this historic storm. Their dedication to keeping our community safe and restoring services does not go unnoticed.
Checking out the district
It was an honor to visit the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency and thank the team for their outstanding work during this storm. I was impressed by the coordination, professionalism, and tireless effort on display as they continue working to get Williamson County back up and running.
There is some amazing work being done across our district right now. I was humbled by visiting Dickson County and seeing the incredible volunteer presence at the Red Cross emergency shelter within the local YMCA. Great work by the local officials, first responders, and the community at large who stepped up to keep families safe.
It was also a privilege to visit the Clarksville 911 center and to speak with local officials. I was impressed with their rapid response and professionalism throughout this process. The people of Montgomery County continue to show up in the hardest of times and display their resolve.
On Thursday, TEMA updated me on recovery efforts when I stopped by, and I thanked them for their work to get Tennessee's services restarted and our roads clear.
I had a great opportunity to visit emergency professionals and officials in Stewart County to discuss the progress that has been made in the recovery from Winter Storm Fern. The local leadership and residents alike have shown tremendous poise and resilience during this challenging week.
I know that these are hard times, but I also know that the Volunteer State is resilient. If you or a loved one needs help, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at (202) 225-2811.
| Sincerely, |
| Matt Van Epps |
| Member of Congress |
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