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: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays) b. William Winsor Elementary School, 562 Putman Pike, Greenville, RI 02828 (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: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 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.
Local Emergency Planning Committee Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA), Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) are responsible for developing an emergency response plan, reviewing the plan annually, and providing information about chemicals in the community to citizens. Plans are developed by LEPCs with stakeholder participation. The goal of an LEPC is to protect the community and the environment from hazardous material incidents through planning, preparation, and communication between citizens, business, and government. LEPCs are also responsible for informing and educating the public about chemical facilities in the community and actions that can be taken in the event of an accidental chemical spill or release into the environment. Lastly, LEPCs work to assist governmental and emergency response agencies in being well prepared to respond to and handle any and all emergencies associated with chemical spills or releases. LEPC Membership LEPC membership includes at least the following: Elected state and local officials Police, fire, civil defense, and public health professionals Environment, transportation, and hospital officials Facility representatives Representatives from community groups and the media LEPC Officers serve for 2-year terms and are elected by LEPC members. Rhode Island LEPCs The State of Rhode Island is broken up into 5 different LEPC Districts: District Name and Address Meeting Minutes District 1 John Silva 1951 Mineral Spring Ave North Providence, RI 02904 Minutes District 2 David Aucoin Narragansett Bay Commission 1 Service Road Providence, RI 02904 Minutes District 3 Email DEM Tier 2 Currently Vacant Minutes District 4 Jake Longolucco Narragansett Fire Department 40 Caswell Street Narragansett, RI 02882 Minutes District 5 Michael Demello 4 Annawamscutt Drive Bristol, RI 02809 Minutes Community Emergency Response Plan The following are required elements of a Community Emergency Response Plan: Identification of facilities and transportation routes of extremely hazardous substances Description of emergency response procedures, on and off site Designation of a community coordinator and facility emergency coordinator(s) to implement the plan Outline of emergency notification procedures Description of how to determine the probable affected area and population by releases Description of local emergency equipment and facilities and the persons responsible for them Outline of evacuation plans A training program for emergency responders (including schedules) Methods and schedules for exercising emergency response plans Tier II Reporting Annual submission of the Tier II form is required under Section 312 of the EPCRA. The purpose of this form is to provide State and local officials and the public with information on the general hazard types and locations of hazardous chemicals present at your facility during the previous calendar year. Tier II forms require basic facility identification information, employee contact information for both emergencies and non-emergencies, and information about chemicals stored or used at the facility: The chemical name or the common name as indicated on the material safety data sheet An estimate of the maximum amount of the chemical present at any time during the preceding calendar year and the average daily amount A brief description of the manner of storage of the chemical The location of the chemical at the facility An indication of whether the owner of the facility elects to withhold location information from disclosure to the public For instructions on how to fill out the Tier II form, click here. The State of Rhode Island requires facilities to use Tier2 Submit and submit Tier II forms electronically by email to the Department of Environmental Management. Tier2 Submit is a free-to-use software developed by the EPA to help facilities prepare an electronic chemical inventory report and submit electronically by email. Additional Resources Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act Environmental Protection Agency Hazardous Material Safety Household Hazardous Waste Disposal National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials Shelter Assessment Tool State Emergency Response Commission