Assistance for Severe Weather and Flooding that occurred in December 2023 and January 2024 Residents of Kent, Providence, and Washington counties, who were affected by severe storms and flooding that occurred between December 17-19, 2023, and between January 9-13, 2024, can apply for federal assistance. Homeowners and renters who received property loss or damages by either disaster in those counties have until May 20, 2024, to apply. When applying for assistance, you must describe which damage(s) happened on which date to ensure you’re applying under the correct disaster.FEMA Assistance - There are several ways for homeowners and renters to apply.1. Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at one of the following locations: a. CCRI, Lincoln Campus, (Room 1304), 1762 Louisquisset Pike, Lincoln, RI 02865 (Open: 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays.) b. Coventry Town Hall Annex, 1675 Flat River Road, Coventry, RI 02879 (Open: 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays.) 2. Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Help is available in most languages. 3. Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov (also in Spanish).4. Download the FEMA mobile app (also in Spanish) at Google Play or the Apple App Store. To view an accessible video on how to apply visit Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube SBA Assistance - Ways to apply for low-interest disaster loans available to businesses and residents in Rhode Island 1. Visit the Business Recovery Center (BRC) at: North Providence Public Safety Complex 1835 Mineral Spring Avenue North Providence, RI 02904 - Hours of operation: 9 a.m.– 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sundays. 2. Apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. 3. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 4. Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov To view an accessible video on how to apply for SBA visit Reasons to apply for a SBA Loan.
State of Rhode Island Awarded Federal Disaster Declaration External AffairsRhode Island Emergency Management AgencyPress Release State of Rhode Island Awarded Federal Disaster DeclarationFrom Severe Weather in January 2024Cranston, RI – On May 9, 2024, President Joseph Biden approved Rhode Island's request to include Public Assistance (PA) for the Major Disaster Declaration from the severe storms and flooding event from January 9, 2024 – January 13, 2024. The Declaration makes federal funding available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) PA Program. Eligible applicants from Kent, Newport, and Washington Counties can apply. Applicants must prepare and submit an official request for determination of eligibility from FEMA.Eligible municipalities, state agencies, tribal communities, and some private non-profit organizations in the listed counties can apply for reimbursement of costs incurred before, during, and after the severe weather event in January. These costs may include but are not limited to, storm preparedness, debris removal, overtime costs for personnel due to work associated with the weather event, repairs to weather-damaged buildings and infrastructure, and projects to reduce the impact of future damage from similar weather-related events."Whenever and wherever severe weather strikes, my Administration is prepared and ready to support affected residents and communities," said Governor McKee. "Thanks to President Biden and FEMA, these federal funds can help Rhode Islanders and businesses get their lives back on track and help our state move forward.""The FEMA PA Program enables municipalities, state agencies, and certain private non-profit organizations to request reimbursement for the expenses incurred in repairing damages caused by the severe weather event that took place between January 9, 2024, and January 13, 2024," said Marc Pappas, the Director of RIEMA. "The RIEMA Recovery Branch, with the support and assistance of local and state partners, worked diligently to gather and review damage assessments and submitted a request for federal assistance to FEMA. We are grateful and appreciative to have received approval."Additional information will be provided at local Applicant Briefing sessions. The sessions are currently being scheduled with local officials. For updates on Rhode Island’s recovery operations, follow the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency on Twitter (X) twitter.com/RhodeIslandEMA and Facebook facebook.com/RhodeIslandEMA or visit or visit www.riema.ri.gov.For questions, please contact RIEMA at (401) 946-9996.# # #Contact: Armand Randolph (401) 641-8269www.riema.ri.gov PR: 0524-01
Floodplain Mapping As part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the federal government provides Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) to municipalities that agree to regulate development in high risk flood areas. The maps identify flood prone areas that form the basis for the federally backed flood insurance rates. A FIRM is an official map on which FEMA has delineated both the special flood hazard areas (SFHA) and the lower risk premium zones applicable to the community. SFHAs depict areas subject to the 1% annual chance flood (or base flood). The A and V zones are designated as SFHAs on the maps. Lower risk areas, 0.2% annual chance flood, are displayed to demonstrate extent of potential flooding. The FEMA Map Service Center (MSC) serves as the official public source for flood hazard information produced in support of the NFIP. To support user accessibility, FEMA has developed a tutorial on how to locate a FIRM and create a smaller map printout (FIRMette) through the MSC website. Flood Insurance Rate Maps FIRMs are typically used to determine: If a structure is in a floodplain The flood insurance zone that applies to the structure The approximate base flood elevation for the site Flood Zone Descriptions Zone Risk Type Description X (Unshaded) Low to Moderate Area of minimal flood hazard. X (Shaded) Low to Moderate Areas subject to inundation by the 0.2% annual-chance flood event. A High Areas subject to inundation by the 1% annual-chance flood event generally determined using approximate methodologies. AE High Areas subject to inundation by the 1% annual-chance flood event determined by detailed methods. AH High Areas subject to inundation by the 1% annual-chance shallow flooding (usually areas of ponding) where average depths are between 1-3 ft. AO High Areas subject to inundation by the 1% annual-chance shallow flooding (usually sheet flow) where average depths are between 1-3 ft. VE High - Coastal Coastal areas subject to inundation by the 1% annual-chance flood event with additional hazards due to storm-induced velocity wave action. Rhode Island Floodplain Mapping Tool The Rhode Island Floodplain Mapping Tool is an online mapping resource. The Tool provides users with flood risk information relative to residences, businesses, or other structures statewide. While the tool is not intended for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes, it does provide users with an approximate flood zone determination relative to the flood hazard areas delineated on FEMA’s FIRMs. Multiple links are embedded in the program to guide users towards relevant information pertaining to the National Flood Insurance Program. Click here to access the Rhode Island Floodplain Mapping Tool* Letter of Map Change A Letter of Map Change (LOMC) reflects an official amendment or revision of the FIRM. If the LOMC request is granted, property owners may be eligible for lower flood insurance premiums or the option to not purchase flood insurance. Professional Land Surveyors may complete this form and submit to FEMA for consideration either electronically or hard copy. The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulations maintains a list of licensed design professionals capable of completing a FEMA Elevation Certificate. Additional Resources FEMA Resources Elevation Certificate Flood Insurance Manual Flood Mapping How to Make a FIRMette How to Change Flood Zone Designation Map Service Center Map Specialist Contact Information Rhode Island Resources RIEMA Floodplain Mapping Tool Rhode Island Geographic Information System