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.
Dam Safety Program The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) is responsible for reviewing and approving the dam emergency action plans (EAP) for the high and significant dams statewide identified by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM). Each plan identifies threats and impacts and establishes activation thresholds and appropriate official(s) to contact in case of a dam failure. Classification Description High Hazard Failure or misoperation will result in a probable loss of human life. Significant Hazard Failure or misoperation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause major economic loss, disruption of lifeline facilities or impact other concerns detrimental to the public's health, safety, or welfare. Low Hazard Failure or misoperation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic losses. Dam Emergency Action Plan Template To encourage and facilitate development of EAPs at all high and significant hazard dams in Rhode Island, RIEMA, in coordination with RIDEM, developed the Rhode Island Dam EAP Template. This document can easily be edited for a specific dam and needs of the community. To request a copy of an editable version of the Dam EAP Template, please contact planning at ema.planning@ema.ri.gov Additional Resources Dam EAP Template PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes RIEMA Dam Safety Brochure PDF file, about 1mbmegabytes