Seeking Federal Flood Aid, Reed Urges RIers Who Experienced Flood Damage to Report It
PROVIDENCE, RI -- Flooding issues from earlier this week were exacerbated by more heavy rainfall and wind damage, with wind gusts up to 77 miles per hour. Several areas lost power and roads were flooded out due to the storm.
U.S. Senator Jack Reed today praised emergency responders along with state, city, and town workers for their response to the flooding. He also thanked cleanup crews who are hard at work pumping out water, repairing damage, and removing debris.
Reed also expressed gratitude to officials from the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for their efforts to support Rhode Island communities dealing with severe flooding and wind damage. FEMA officials were already on the ground this week working with affected counties and the state government to respond and assess the damage. Senator Reed and members of the federal delegation have already urged FEMA and the Biden Administration to make assistance available quickly if the state requests a formal disaster declaration.
“Rhode Island experienced a series of multi-hazard storms this week that caused significant flooding and infrastructure damage. I am committed to helping residents, businesses, and communities recover. I urge anyone who experienced flood damage to document it and report it to their local emergency management officials and I will continue working to deliver the maximum amount of federal funding for recovery and resilience efforts,” said Senator Reed, who on Friday toured some of the flood damage with officials from the RIEMA and FEMA.
While a damage report is not an application for financial assistance, the information can help the state document and measure the full extent of the storm as it explores options for declaring an emergency and applying for federal reimbursement and assistance. Documenting damages is also important for any insurance claims. Reporting the damage does NOT replace insurance claims, and submissions do not guarantee any form of reimbursement.
RIEMA’s website allows Individuals and Business owners who sustained losses and/or damages from the Severe Weather event from January 9 – 11, 2024 to complete an initial damage assessment form: https://riema.ri.gov
RIEMA also has a list of local emergency management contacts that Rhode Islanders may contact to report flood damage from yesterday’s weather incident:
