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.
State of Rhode Island to Participate in National Communications Test Published on Wednesday, December 01, 2021 Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency Press Release Contact: Kristina Murray (401) 536-5248 Cell (401) 462-7063 Office www.riema.ri.gov STATE OF RHODE ISLAND TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS TEST For Use: Immediately Date: September 27, 2018 Re: WEA and EAS tests "THIS IS A TEST. THIS IS ONLY A TEST." FEMA, in coordination with the FCC, will conduct a national test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), known as the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), to be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2018. These systems are designed to alert the public of emergencies and provide a method for the President to message the nation during a national emergency or threat. The WEA test will begin at 2:18pm and cellphones will receive a Presidential Alert through a text message which will read, "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed." Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency Director Peter Gaynor would like inform Rhode Islanders of the test to prevent unnecessary worry when the alert is launched. "Residents should not be concerned. It's a test to determine readiness to distribute emergency messages nationwide. It will help recognize whether improvements are required." This is the first nationwide WEA test. There is no requirement for a person to sign up to receive WEA alerts. More than 100 carriers participate in the WEA program. They are also testing the EAS. That test will begin at 2:20pm and will last approximately one minute. The EAS test message is distributed to radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers. The EAS message will read: "THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency an official message would have followed the tone alert you heard at the start of this message. A similar Wireless Emergency Alert test message has been sent to all cellphones nationwide. Some cells will receive the message; others will not. No action is required." The test messages will be sent via IPAWS which enables authorities to send emergency messages through multiple networks. Related links Department or agency: Emergency Management Agency Online: riema.ri.gov/ Release date: 09-27-2018