President Donald Trump announced on Feb. 7 that nearly $100 million in aid for Tennessee and Mississippi, following a series of severe winter storms that swept across large swathes of the country.
The icy weather has persisted for many states since Winter Storm Fern hit the central and eastern portions of the United States in late January, with recovery efforts still ongoing in many areas after heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain knocked out power for more than 1 million people and canceled tens of thousands of flights.
“I am approving $39.1 Million Dollars for the severe winter storm that they just experienced. I love the people of Mississippi, and won big there, three times,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. “We are with you all the way!”
About 12,000 people in Mississippi are still without power as of Feb. 7, according to PowerOutage.us.
“I just approved $60.6 Million Dollars for the Great State for Tennessee (which I won three times!), for the severe winter storm that they are recovering from—Incredible people, that I know will rebuild, FAST!” Trump wrote in a separate Truth Social post.
At least 17 states declared emergencies ahead of the vast, deadly weather event. Trump approved an emergency disaster declaration for a dozen because of the storm, including Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Indiana, West Virginia, South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee praised Trump for approving the federal aid.
“This approval ensures that federal resources are available to support Tennesseans, and we are grateful for the Trump Administration’s unwavering support,” Lee said in a statement.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves thanked Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in a post on X.
“With his approval, Mississippi will be able to continue our response efforts and better help Mississippians recover. I am incredibly grateful for President Trump’s friendship and our entire state is grateful to him for quickly approving my request,” Reeves wrote.
Communities near the Canadian border have reported record-breaking sub-zero temperatures. In Watertown, New York, the temperature dipped to minus 34 degrees Fahrenheit. The town of Copenhagen, New York, experienced a minus 49 degrees reading.
“An Arctic siege has taken over our state,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “It is brutal, it is bone chilling, and it is dangerous.”
More bitter conditions are on the way for the region. Millions in the Northeast are expected to feel sub-zero temperatures on the night of Feb. 7 into the afternoon of Feb. 8. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned wind chills could reach as low as minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit in multiple states.
“These wind chills will pose a life-threatening risk of hypothermia and frostbite to exposed skin,” the NWS said in an update on Feb. 7.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu declared a Cold Weather Emergency for the city, effective until Feb. 9.
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