Winter Weather/Extreme Cold

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. Curtis Corner Middle School
301 Curtis Corner Road
Wakefield, RI 02879

b. Coventry Town Hall Annex
1675 Flat River Road
Coventry, RI 02879

c. William Winsor Elementary School
562 Putman Pike
Greenville, RI 02828

- Hours of operation, all locations: 8 a.m.– 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays.

All locations are Closed on Sundays.

1a. Visit the Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (MDRC) at:

d. Cumberland Public Library - Parking Lot
119 Main Street
Cumberland, RI 02864

- MDRC Hours of operation: 9 a.m.– 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays.

Closed on Sundays.

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.

Winter Weather/Extreme Cold

During winters in Rhode Island, we can expect snow or blizzards, ice, or a period of extremely cold temperatures. Snowstorms can bring an inch or two of snow or more than a foot of snow. When snow is falling at a fast rate, there are winds of 35 miles per hour or more, and visibility is near zero, it is a blizzard. Many times, there is no precipitation, but outdoor temperatures are colder than average for several days in a row.

Winter storms are often called deceptive killers because most deaths that occur are indirectly related to the actual storm. The most common causes of deaths during winter weather are motor vehicle accidents, heart attacks (caused by over exertion while shoveling snow or ice), or asphyxiation from heating sources that are not properly ventilated or are not approved sources of heat. House fires occur more frequently during the winter because people do not follow safety directions when using alternate heat sources or because people leave fires or space heaters unattended.

Be prepared for the cold, as well as the winter weather. Download our Winter Weather Preparedness Guide to keep your family prepared for anything that winter has to offer.

Additional Resources