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 what 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: a. Cumberland Public Library, 1464 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland, RI 02864 (Open: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays) b. Warwick Fire Department - Station 10, 225 Potowomut Road, Warwick, RI 02818 (Open: 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays.) c. 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.) d. Knightsville Manor (Community Room), 85 Briggs Street, Cranston, RI 02920 (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.
Hazard Mitigation The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs for the State of Rhode Island are administered by the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency's (RIEMA) Planning & Mitigation Section. The programs are designed to provide funding for eligible mitigation activities that protect life, property and the environment from future disaster damages. Mitigation supports actions that are long-term, cost-effective and environmentally sound. There are four (4) HMA programs outlined in the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide and programmatic details are available on FEMA’s HMA website. Flood Mitigation Assistance Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Pre-Disaster Mitigation (Congressionally Delegated) In addition to the mitigation project funding available through the HMA programs above, Mitigation Planning provides governments with a framework designed to guide decision making pre and post disaster. Other Resources Guidance & Regulations Hazard Mitigation Assistance Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide Mitigation Application Development Mitigation Funding Mitigation Ideas Mitigation's Value to Society RI Disaster Declarations Planning FEMA Region 1 Mitigation Ideas Hazard Mitigation Planning Hazard Mitigation Planning Resources Building Community Resilience with Nature-Based Solutions Local Mitigation Planning Handbook Local Mitigation Plan Review Guide State Mitigation Plan Review Guide