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 will need to describe what damage(s) happened on which date to ensure you’re applying under the correct disaster.

FEMA Assistance - 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), available 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 Grant Program

Overview:

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) assists in implementing long-term hazard mitigation measures following Presidential disaster declarations. Funding is available to implement plans or projects in accordance with State, Tribal, and local priorities.

Unlike the FMA or BRIC programs, HMGP is the only post-disaster mitigation program. Following a disaster declaration, States are allotted 15% of total disaster assistance grants provided by FEMA for HMGP.

Cost Share:

75% (Federal) / 25% (Non-Federal)

DR-4505 Cost Share is 90% (Federal) / 10% (Non-Federal)

Eligible Sub-Applicants:

State Agencies
Local Governments
Tribal Governements
Private Non-Profit Organizations

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Allocations for COVID-19 Declarations: On August 5, 2021, FEMA announced every state, tribe, and territory that received a major disaster declaration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be eligible to receive 4% of those disaster costs to invest in mitigation projects that reduce risks from natural disasters. The incident period for this Program ended May 11, 2023.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) - $26,828,651 available statewide. In alignment with the “State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP)” mission statement, the State prioritizes projects that reduce loss of life, and protect natural resources, property, infrastructure, public health, and the economy from natural hazards and climate change impacts through the development of integrated hazard mitigation and climate adaptation projects.

The HMGP provides funds to states, territories, tribal governments, and other communities after a disaster, to reduce or eliminate future risk to lives and property from natural hazards. The intent for funding of hazard mitigation plans and projects is to reduce the need for the reliance on taxpayer-funded federal assistance for disaster recovery. Mitigation also minimizes overall risk to lives and property. State and local governments, tribal organizations, and certain private non-profits may be eligible to apply for funding to cover projects including:

Storm-water upgrades
Drainage and culvert improvements
Property acquisition
Slope stabilization
Infrastructure protection
Seismic and wind retrofits, and
Structure elevations
Wildfire Mitigation

HMGP funding is available to all communities in the RI that meet the sub-applicant and project eligibility requirements. Federal funding for this grant program is available following a major federal disaster declaration. HMGP funds are available based on a percentage of the total Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs. The HMGP is competitive statewide and is authorized under Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

FEMA’s hazard mitigation grant programs are not intended to fund repair, replacement, or deferred maintenance activities. They are designed to assist sub-applicants in developing long-term, cost-effective improvements that will reduce or eliminate risk of damage to people and property caused by natural hazards. Projects that address operation, deferred or future maintenance, repairs or replacement (without a change in the level of protection provided) of existing structures, facilities, or infrastructure (e.g., dredging, debris removal, replacement of obsolete utility systems, bridges and facility repair/rehabilitation) are not considered eligible mitigation grant activities.