02/06/26 Mayor's News Conference

The Metro Nashville Network held a news conference on February 6, 2026, to address recovery efforts following Winter Storm Fern. The Mayor announced the "Restore Nashville" campaign, which includes suspending water bill penalties, reallocating $750,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds to expand emergency winter housing assistance, and opening disaster assistance centers to provide resources to affected residents. The Metro Action Commission reported high demand for housing assistance, with over 800 applications received shortly after program launch. The city is also coordinating extensive debris removal efforts with NDOT, aiming for FEMA reimbursement by closely monitoring debris collection. Discussions included ongoing communication with state leaders regarding utility accountability, particularly NES's performance during the storm, and the potential use of the city's rainy day fund to cover immediate recovery costs pending federal aid. The meeting emphasized community resilience, volunteer involvement, and plans to support small businesses impacted by the storm as part of the broader recovery strategy.