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: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 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: 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 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.
Flood Insurance The NFIP affords homeowners, renters or business owners the opportunity to purchase flood insurance when their municipality agrees to enact and enforce regulations that meet or exceed FEMA’s floodplain requirements. This insurance is designed to provide an insurance alternative to disaster assistance to reduce the escalating costs of repairing damage to buildings and their contents caused by floods. Residential Risk Areas Residents of High-Risk Areas (A or V Flood Zones) Homes and buildings in high-risk flood areas with mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders are required to have flood insurance. In high-risk areas, there is at least a 25% chance of flooding during a 30-year mortgage. Residents of Moderate-to-Low Risk Areas (X Flood Zones) Homes and businesses located in moderate-to-low risk areas that have mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders are typically not required to have flood insurance. Even though flood insurance isn't federally required, anyone can be financially vulnerable to floods. In fact, people outside of mapped high-risk flood areas file over 20% of all National Flood Insurance Program flood insurance claims and receive one-third of Federal Disaster Assistance for flooding. Rhode Island Community Rating System The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary program that recognizes and encourages a community's efforts that exceed the NFIP minimum requirements for floodplain management. The CRS program emphasizes three goals: the reduction of flood losses, facilitating accurate insurance rating, and promoting the awareness of flood insurance. By participating in the CRS program, communities can earn a 5-45% discount for flood insurance premiums based upon the activities that reduce the risk of flooding within the community. Benefits provided to the community are inclusive but not limited to: Enhanced public safety A reduction in damage to property and public infrastructure Avoidance of economic disruption and losses Reduction of human suffering and/or loss of life Protection of the environment The 2013 CRS Coordinator's Manual is the guidebook for the CRS and establishes the criteria for CRS Classification. It explains the Activities and Elements of the program, how credit is calculated, and what provides eligibility for credit. Communities can also use the manual as a guide for designing and improving their floodplain management programs. The State of Rhode Island currently has eight (8) communities participating in CRS. The participating Rhode Island communities and the premium reduction they receive are below: Community Entrance Date Class Discount (%) Bristol 5/1/2013 8 10 Charlestown 5/1/2015 7 15 East Providence 5/1/2014 9 5 Middletown 4/1/2000 8 10 Narragansett 10/1/2007 8 10 North Kingstown 10/1/1993 9 5 Pawtucket 10/1/2014 8 10 Westerly 5/1/2013 8 10 Additional Resources Insurance References Answers to Questions about NFIP Benefits of Flood Insurance Vs. Disaster Assistance FEMA NFIP FEMA NFIP Publications FEMA NFIP Technical Bulletins Floodsmart Myths & Facts About NFIP Reducing Damage From Localized Flooding StormSmart Coasts CRS References 2013 CRS Changes CRS Communities and Their Classes CRS Coordinator's Manual FEMA CRS