Disaster Response
Explore active, long-term, and previous Nashville VOAD disaster responses
December 2023 Storms and Tornado
During the storms on Dec. 9, 2023 at least 860 homes and businesses in Davidson County were damaged or destroyed. The Nashville VOAD immediately activated following the storms to connect survivors with trusted community organizations offering recovery resources.
If you live in Davidson County and need assistance, complete this online form and one of our partners will be in touch within four business days. Si habla espanol y ocupa ayuda para llenar el formulario por favor llame a 211.
Our partners are able to provide the following services and support:
- Shelter
- Home repair
- Debris cleanup
- Transportation
- Vehicle repair
- Replacement of home goods
- Mental health services
- Assistance applying for FEMA
If you need immediate assistance with food or other essential items, please see a list of distribution locations below.
Disaster Recovery Center: Apply for Federal Assistance
A Disaster Recovery Center has been established at the Madison Public Library for individuals and businesses to apply for federal assistance. At the center, survivors can receive information on disaster assistance programs and apply for federal aid.
Disaster survivors can also apply for FEMA assistance online at disasterassitance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and use TTY, call 1-800-7585. Those who use 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service) may call 1-800-621-3362.
All individuals and businesses affected by the storms are encouraged to apply.
Disaster Recovery Center Location and Hours:
Madison Public Library
610 Gallatin Pk. S
Madison, TN 37115
Mon - Sat, 8am - 7pm and Sun, 1pm - 5pm
Recursos de Recuperación de Desastres
Distribution Locations
The FiftyForward senior center in Madison is a disaster relief distribution site for essential items, including cleaning and hygiene supplies, baby items, and shelf-stable food. Spanish translation services are available on site.
FiftyForward Madison Station
530 Madison Station Blvd.
Madison, TN 37115
Dec. 26–28: 9am – 1pm
Jan. 2–5: 9am – 1pm
For those needing immediate food resources, Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee has put the following locations into Disaster Response. Those affected by the storm can visit any of these locations as often as needed to keep their household stocked with food. Note that the holidays may affect hours on some days.
East Nashville Cooperative Ministry
3115 Gallatin Pike
615-540-0122
Mon-Wed, 9am - 3:30pm
Salvation Army Magness Potter
611 Stockell St.
615-242-0411 x225
Mon-Thurs, 1pm - 4pm
Christian Cooperative Ministry
201 Madison St.
615-868-6865
Mon and Wed, 9am - 12:15pm
Tues and Thurs, 10am - 12:15pm
Template Baptist Church
3720 Kings Lane
615-868-7656
Saturday 10am - 1pm
Rebuilding Resources
If you need to hire a professional contractor to make repairs or rebuild your home, here are tips to protect yourself and avoid scams:
- Call 1-800-342-4029 or visit http://verify.tn.gov/ to verify that the contractor is licensed and certified by the state.
- Verify the company’s permanent business address is in this area and not from out of state.
- Ask for references before hiring a contractor and check them.
- Ask for proof of the contrator's general liability insurance. A reputable contractor should be able to show you an insurance certificate. Usually, the insurance carrier can have a copy of the certificate sent directly from their agency, however, this may not be realistic immediately after a disaster.
- Be wary of a contractor who wants full payment before the job begins or will only accept cash payments.
- Be wary of low bids. The lowest bid is not always the best. Do not feel any pressure from the contractor to make an immediate decision.
- In Tennessee, all jobs should be permitted and inspected. Check with the Metro Codes Department (or other local municipality or county) to verify the contractor submitted the proper permits and inspection requests.
Metro Codes released the following guidance for getting power turned back on at a damaged property:
Any structure with damage sustained in the December 9, 2023 tornado in Davidson County shall require a letter from a licensed structural engineer before a reconnect will be authorized.
A release number submitted to Nashville Electric Service to establish reconnection must be accompanied by photos of all sides of the structure, meter base, riser, and point of attachment. If new wiring is installed, a photo of the electrical breaker panel will also be required.
For questions and additional information, contact the Metro Codes Department Electrical Inspection Division at 615-862-6575.
Renters' Rights After a Disaster
If your lease says you can or if you cannot live in part of your rented home because of damage, you can cancel the lease. If you cannot live in any part of your rental unit, you must give your landlord a written notice that you are canceling your lease. You should also ask in writing a refund of your security deposit and any pre-paid rent from your landlord.
If you do not pay rent your landlord can give you a notice to move. Your landlord may later file an eviction case against you. If your rent is subsidized by the government, you are entitled to have your part of the rent reduced. You should contact the agency that helps you with your rent to get a reduction.
No. If your home is still in livable shape, then normal landlord-tenant laws apply. You cannot be evicted without reason. Your landlord can only evict you if the lease is expired or you break the lease. A landlord can only make you move by giving you a notice telling you to get out by a certain date and then filing a lawsuit after that date. Your landlord may not have to give you notice if you do not pay rent. If your lease is expired, your landlord may be able to force you to move by giving you a 30-day notice. If your landlord locks you out and refuses to give you a key, you can sue to get back in your place.
If you can still live in the home safely, you do not have to move until the lease is over. If you have a written lease, it may cover this problem. If not, your landlord can only make you move if your home is not safe to live in. If the landlord has to move you out to make repairs so that the home will be safe again, the landlord can break your lease. The landlord should give you 14 days to move out. The landlord should also give you back your security deposit and any pre-paid rent.
Carefully read the papers and be sure to show up in court to tell your side of the story. You have the right to represent yourself or you can call Legal Aid Society for information or to help if you qualify. You may also find helpful information regarding eviction lawsuits at www.las.org.
To apply for legal assistance, please call Legal Aid Society at 1-800-238-1443 or visit www.las.org for more information.
Past Responses
March 2021 Flood
More than 7 inches of rain fell between March 27-28, 2021, causing flooding that resulted in multiple deaths, devastated neighborhoods, and displaced residents – the second worst flood event in Nashville history.
In response, the Disaster Recovery Connection, a helpline administered by The Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church and United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), was established to provide immediate support.
Christmas Day Bombing 2020
In the wake of an explosion in downtown Nashville early morning on Christmas Day, Nashville’s residents showed up to support one another — making the phrase “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” ring true for this Middle Tennessee community.
The Nashville community continues to be here to help those impacted by the tragedy on December 25, 2020, as part of the historic downtown response and recovery.
March 2020 Tornado
Finding and serving tornado survivors — in the midst of a worldwide pandemic and economic crisis, no less — remains the focus of the Davidson County Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG).
The LTRG offers additional long-term assistance to individuals affected by the disaster who do not have adequate personal resources, and stewards volunteer, material and financial resources.
Do NOT self-deploy
Seeing images of disaster may compel you to head to the impacted area. Don’t underestimate the complexity of working in a disaster area.
Until a need has been identified and the local community impacted has requested support, volunteers should not enter.
When the time comes, volunteer opportunities will be available through our partner organizations so that you can help your neighbor under the guidance of experienced organizations.
Do stay involved
Recovery lasts a lot longer than the media attention. There will be volunteer needs for many months, often years, after the disaster. Especially when the community enters the long-term recovery period.