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.
Tornadoes Tornadoes are violent, rotating columns of air that usually occurs on the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. They usually start as a funnel cloud and can have winds of up to 300 miles per hour. Tornadoes are natureâs most violent storms. The strong winds inside a tornado can cause damage paths of more than a mile wide and up to 50 miles long. While tornadoes may not be common in Rhode Island, every state is at risk for tornadoes. On June 1, 2011, nearby Springfield, MA, witnessed a devastating tornado that killed 3 people, injured over 300 and destroyed/damaged over 1,400 homes and businesses. Tornadoes can occur very suddenly without much warning. Download our Tornado Safety Guide to keep your family prepared at all times. Tornado Safety Guide PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Fujita Tornado Damage Scale (F-Scale) Developed By Theodore Fujita, the “F-Scale” is used to categorize tornadoes by wind speed and damage. Scale Wind Estimate (MPH) Typical Damage F0 <73 Light Damage. Some damage to chimneys; branches broken off trees; shallow-rooted trees pushed over; sign boards damaged. F1 73-112 Moderate Damage. Peels surface off roofs; mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned; moving automobiles blown off roads. F2 113-157 Considerable Damage. Roofs torn off framed houses; mobile homes demolished; boxcars overturned; large trees snapped or uprooted; light-object missiles generated; cars lifted off ground. F3 158-206 Severe Damage. Roofs and walls torn off well-constructed houses; trains overturned; most trees in forest uprooted; heavy cars lifted off the ground and thrown. F4 207-260 Devastating Damage. Well-constructed homes leveled; structures with weak foundations blown away some distance; cars thrown and large missiles generated. F5 261-318 Incredible Damage. Strong-framed houses leveled off foundations and swept away; automobile-sized missiles fly through the air in excess of 100 meters; trees debarked. Additional Resources Check Current Watches, Warnings, & Advisories from NOAA Report a Power Outage Disaster Supply Kit PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Family Emergency Communications Plan PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes