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. Warwick Fire Department - Station 10, 225 Potowomut Road, Warwick, RI 02818 (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.
Regulations The Federal government agrees to back flood insurance in exchange for communities enacting and enforcing floodplain regulations. The minimum standards can be found in Chapter 44 of Code of Federal Regulations (44 CFR 59 and 60). All 39 local communities and 1 Tribal Nation in Rhode Island enforce the minimum standards. Rhode Island Floodplain Management Standards State Building Code The Rhode Island Building Code Commission has adopted and incorporated the 2021 International Codes (effective January 2024) into the Rhode Island State Building Code. The vast majority of the regulations required by the NFIP are included within the International Building Code and the International Residential Code. Local Ordinances While most floodplain requirements have been incorporated into the Rhode Island State Building Code, some additional provisions and regulations may be required by a community. If you have specific questions pertaining to floodplain management, mapping initiatives and products, and building regulations in floodplains please contact the floodplain administrator in your community. Communities participating in the NFIP are required to adopt, enforce and maintain a local floodplain ordinance as a stipulation of compliance with the program. The purpose of this ordinance is to ensure public safety, minimize impact to persons and property from flooding, protect watercourses from encroachment, and maintain the capability of floodplains to retain and carry off floodwaters. The local floodplain administrator is typically the municipal official responsible for overseeing the enforcement and update of the document. Additional Resources FEMA Resources Coastal Construction Manual Elevating Your Flood Prone House Floodplain Management Ordinances NFIP Laws & Regulations Organizations Involved in Floodplain Management Association of State Floodplain Managers Coastal Resources Management Council Department of Environmental Management RI Flood Mitigation Association United States Army Corps of Engineers United States Fish & Wildlife Service