New England: One Year After Hurricane Sandy

BOSTON – One year ago today, on October 29th, 2012, the Northeast braced for impact as Hurricane Sandy came barreling toward our coastline. Although New England was spared the brunt of the storm, residents and businesses along the shores of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire suffered severe damages from wind and water, many losing homes and livelihoods. Towns along the coasts of Connecticut and Rhode Island were nearly impassable after the storm, roadways choked with debris and sand from a significant storm surge that swept through beachfront communities.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to work closely with its partners to help individuals and communities recover from Hurricane Sandy.

In the past year over $125.9 million in FEMA funding has been obligated toward Hurricane Sandy recovery in New England:

Individual Assistance

More than $15.5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency grants approved for individuals and households region-wide, which includes:

Connecticut:

  • More than $13.8 million for housing assistance
  • More than $1.1 million for other needs assistance

Rhode Island

  • $378,748 for housing assistance
  • $42,592 for other need assistance

More than $51.6 million in Small Business Administration disaster loans approved for homeowners, renters and businesses in Connecticut.

More than $285.3 million in National Flood Insurance Program payments made to policy holders. Including:

Connecticut

  • More than $249.5 million paid to flood insurance policy holders

Rhode Island

  • More than $35.8 million paid to flood insurance policy holders

Public Assistance

More than $59.1 million in Public Assistance grants to reimburse local, state and tribal governments and eligible private nonprofits region-wide for some of the costs of:

  • Emergency response
  • Debris removal
  • Repairing or rebuilding damaged public facilities

The committed efforts of  many additional federal, state and local agencies and organizations continue to assist  states, towns, communities and individuals in the recovery process.

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New England: One Year After Hurricane Sandy

Federal Support for Rhode Island Sandy Recovery Exceeds $39.4 Million

Warwick, R.I.–More than $39.4 million in support from four federal disaster relief programs is helping Rhode Island recover from Hurricane Sandy’s effects.

“Federal assistance has reduced Sandy’s financial impact on public facilities and affected individuals,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer James N. Russo. “FEMA continues working to assure that all receive the maximum disaster aid we can provide.”

Federal assistance for Hurricane Sandy was authorized November 3, 2012, by a major disaster declaration for Bristol, Kent, Newport, and Washington counties for FEMA’s Public Assistance program. Additionally, FEMA’s Individual Assistance program was authorized for Newport and Washington counties.

“Rhode Island is grateful for all of the federal support we have received,” said Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee “We hope that this funding will help the state to repair damages and be more resilient as we start hurricane season.”

The majority of the support is from FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program which has paid more than $31.1 million for more than 1,000 claims.

In addition to NFIP claims payments, federal aid includes:

• Public Assistance: more than $5.3 million in grants for state and local agencies and some private nonprofits

• Individual Assistance: more than $423,000 in grants paid directly to eligible individuals and families to meet basic needs for housing and cover other essential disaster-related expenses

• U.S. Small Business Administration: more than $2.6 million in low-interest disaster recovery loans to Rhode Island homeowners, renters and business owners of all sizes

FEMA’s PA program has approved more than 260 projects to reimburse local and state agencies for 75 percent of eligible Sandy-related costs. These include emergency response, debris removal, and repair or replacement of facilities or infrastructure.

“As we continue to recover from Hurricane Sandy damage and face the beginning of another hurricane season, it is a reminder that the best way to assure you can rebuild if your home or business is damaged or destroyed by flooding is to buy flood insurance,” Russo said. “Flooding is one of the biggest concerns during a hurricane. Anyone who does not already have flood insurance should consider buying it now.”

For information on flood insurance, visit www.floodsmart.gov. For information on PA or IA programs, visit http://www.riema.ri.gov

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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Federal Support for Rhode Island Sandy Recovery Exceeds $39.4 Million

President Declares Disaster for Rhode Island

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Rhode Island  to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe winter storm and snowstorm during the period of February 8 – 9, 2013.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm and snowstorm in Bristol, Kent, Newport, Providence, and Washington counties. 

In addition, assistance is available to state, tribal and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for snow assistance, for a continuous 48-hour period during or proximate to the incident period in Kent, Providence, and Washington counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and tribes within the state.

James N. Russo has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.  Russo said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Follow FEMA online at fema.gov/blog www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. 

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications. 

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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President Declares Disaster for Rhode Island

FEMA Urges New England Residents to Prepare Now For Severe Winter Weather

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges citizens and visitors to the Northeast or New England states to prepare now for an intense and potentially dangerous winter storm forecast for the area.

FEMA’s partner, the National Weather Service, is warning of a major winter storm and blizzard for areas of New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire from Friday morning through Saturday afternoon. Areas of Vermont and Maine are also under winter storm warnings.

Blizzard conditions are extremely hazardous for travel and include sustained winds or frequent wind gusts to 35 miles per hour or greater, reduced visibility, and considerable snowfall and blowing snow. This snow will be wet and heavy and could lead to downed trees and power lines. Accompanying winds with this storm will be from the Northeast at 40-50 mph for many areas, with a potential for wind gusts up to 75 mph on Cape Cod and the offshore islands. Coastal flooding is possible along the Maine and Massachusetts coastlines and beach erosion is anticipated across the entire region.

Residents or visitors to these areas should follow guidance issued by emergency officials and check with their local weather forecast office or www.weather.gov for the latest information, including additional watches and warnings. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are currently being sent directly to many cell phones on participating wireless carrier networks. These alerts are sent by public safety officials such as the National Weather Service and are designed to get your attention and provide brief, critical instructions to warn about imminent threats like severe weather. More information on WEAs is available at www.Ready.gov.

Now is the time for residents and visitors to the area to prepare for intense cold, limited travel options, and the possible loss of electrical power. Prepare an emergency kit for your home and car with supplies such as a NOAA weather radio, plenty of clean water, and non-perishable foods.  

Special items such as adequate clothing, warm boots and blankets to keep you warm, snow shovels and snow removal equipment, rock salt, flares, a cell phone charger, and a sleeping bag can save your life if you become stranded on the roads during a winter storm. Learn which items to include in an emergency kit at www.Ready.gov/build-a-kit.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

 

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FEMA Urges New England Residents to Prepare Now For Severe Winter Weather

Only a Few Days Remain to Apply for Rhode Island Sandy Aid

WARWICK, R.I. – Rhode Islanders with losses from Hurricane Sandy have only a few days remaining to request state-federal disaster recovery assistance. The deadline to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency is midnight, Monday, January 14.

Register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov until midnight. Register by calling FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362) daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Multilingual recovery specialists are available. Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY can call 800-462-7585 directly; or 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service. 

FEMA-state assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, uninsured vehicle damage, lost or damaged personal property and many other costs incurred because of Hurricane Sandy. Even people who have insurance may qualify for FEMA aid to help with expenses their insurance does not cover, such as temporary housing during home repairs.

Low interest disaster loans are vital to full recovery for many who had storm damage. The U.S. Small Business Administration provides these loans, not just for small businesses, but also for homeowners, renters, businesses of any size and some private nonprofits to cover uncompensated real or personal property losses. To date, the SBA has approved more than $641,000 in disaster recovery loans to Rhode Island homeowners. The deadline to apply for an SBA loan is Tuesday, January 15.

SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov or completed on-line at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

Rhode Islanders who lost income because of Hurricane Sandy and are ineligible for regular unemployment benefits may be eligible for special disaster unemployment benefits. The deadline to apply is February 4, 2013. File a claim online at http://www.dlt.ri.gov/ui/.

Find tweets about Sandy recovery at www.twitter.com/femaregion1. For Rhode Island specific information go to http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4089. Other online resources include http://blog.fema.gov, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for medical and dental expenses, funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

 

 

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Only a Few Days Remain to Apply for Rhode Island Sandy Aid

Insured Rhode Islanders May Qualify for FEMA Aid

WARWICK, R.I. — Insured Rhode Islanders with Hurricane Sandy losses related to their primary homes may benefit from registering for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, because insurance may not cover all storm-related costs.

If you’re insured, you must file a claim with your insurance company and let FEMA know what your policy covers before you can be eligible for federal aid. By law, federal disaster assistance cannot duplicate insurance benefits.

When insurance doesn’t cover all your disaster related expenses FEMA may be able to help. Here are some examples:

  • You have Additional Living Expenses (ALE) your insurance doesn’t cover. If you were displaced from your home due to disaster damage, you may have additional living expenses for temporary housing until you are back in permanent housing (your repaired home or a new rental). Some policies–and this includes National Flood Insurance–do not provide benefits for Additional Living Expenses. Other policies may provide some coverage, but not enough.  FEMA may be able to help.
     
  • You have losses that were not insured, such as: Sandy may have damaged your vehicle and you have no  coverage for that. You may have been injured by the hurricane and have uninsured medical or dental expenses. You may be a student who lost your books and computer or a worker who lost tools that your insurance doesn’t cover.

After registering, many insured applicants will initially receive a letter from FEMA stating they are ineligible because they have insurance. FEMA can reconsider this determination after you provide information about storm-related losses your insurance didn’t cover. You will receive instructions on how to do this with your letter from FEMA or call the FEMA Helpline, 800-621-3362, for more information.

It’s important not to put off registering even if you don’t yet know whether insurance covers all your losses. Registration is open only until January 14. After that, even if you later discover uninsured losses, it will be too late to ask FEMA for help.

FEMA evaluates each situation on a case-by-case basis. By registering before the deadline, you will be assured of access to all available FEMA aid even if you do have insurance.
 

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for medical and dental expenses, funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.govor completed on-line at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

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Insured Rhode Islanders May Qualify for FEMA Aid

FEMA Hiring Locally to Help in Disaster Recovery

WARWICK, R.I. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency is hiring a number of Rhode Islanders to assist in the state’s recovery efforts following Hurricane Sandy.

“It is FEMA policy, and the agency makes it a priority, to employ local residents,” explained FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer James N. Russo.  “It gives us an opportunity to tap into the skills and experience of people who live right here in the Ocean State.  Moreover, a paycheck makes it into the hands of some local, unemployed workers on a temporary basis.” 

FEMA is currently seeking up to 15 local employees, which will comprise 10 percent of the FEMA workforce, at its Joint Field Office in Warwick.  Civil engineering, administrative management, accounting, and charting and mapping are but a few of the skill sets being sought.

This is the second time in recent years FEMA has recruited locally in Rhode Island.  Many individuals were hired in 2010 when the agency helped the state recover from spring storms and flooding at that time.

Individuals interested in applying should register online at www.EmployRI.org.  The initiative is supported by EmployRI and the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.

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FEMA Hiring Locally to Help in Disaster Recovery

R.I. Disaster Recovery Centers to Close

WARWICK, R.I. – The State-FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in Westerly and Middletown will close permanently on Friday, December 7, at 6 p.m. The Recovery Center in Westerly will transition to a U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Outreach Center starting on Monday. Hours and locations are

  • Disaster Recovery Center, Middletown Police Station (Community Room), 123 Valley Road, Middletown, R.I. Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. through Friday, December 7. Permanently closed after Friday.
  • Disaster Recovery Center, Misquamicut Fire Station, 65 Crandall Avenue, Westerly, R.I. Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. through Friday, December 7. Permanently closed after Friday.
  • S.B.A. Disaster Loan Outreach Center, Misquamicut Fire Station, 65 Crandall Avenue, Westerly, R.I. Opens Monday, December 10. Hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Saturdays and Sundays.

Rhode Islanders affected by Hurricane Sandy do not need to visit a Recovery Center to register for or receive  disaster aid. Registration for federal disaster assistance remains open until January 14, 2013.

Register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov or by calling toll-free 800-621-FEMA (3362). The phone line is open 24 hours a day seven days a week. Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY can call 800-462-7585 directly; or 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service.  Rhode Islanders with questions about federal disaster assistance or their registration may call 800-621-3362 and select the “help” option.

The Disaster Recovery Centers are staffed with specialists from various federal, state and local agencies and organizations who can provide information about federal disaster assistance and other recovery programs.

The U.S. Small Business Administration provides low interest disaster recovery loans to homeowners, businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations. Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to cover disaster recovery costs not covered by insurance. Homeowners and renters alike may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace furniture, appliances, cars and clothing damaged or destroyed in the disaster. Businesses of any size and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other assets. 

Specialists at the S.B.A. Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Westerly starting Monday can answer questions about disaster recovery loans and provide assistance with applications.

 

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for medical and dental expenses, funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov or completed on-line at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

 

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R.I. Disaster Recovery Centers to Close

Donate Wisely to Help Hurricane Sandy Survivors

Warwick, R.I. -The best way to support Sandy survivors is to make financial contributions to reputable voluntary organizations, say officials from the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Cash is the most effective. Cash donations allow nonprofit organizations to purchase what disaster survivors need. Buying from local businesses helps the economy recover.

Donations of used clothing, miscellaneous household items and mixed or perishable foodstuffs must be sorted, packaged, transported, warehoused and distributed. These tasks require helping agencies to divert resources away from providing services, while the donated items may not meet disaster survivors’ needs.

Donate to reliable national or local organizations. Beware of solicitations to help Sandy survivors from people or groups you haven’t verified. These may be from con artists.

To find reputable organizations accepting donations of cash or looking for volunteers, go online to www.aidmatrixnetwork.org/fema and select Rhode Island from the drop down menu.

Finally, be patient. Recovery lasts a lot longer than the media attention. There will be a need for donations and volunteers to help Rhode Island recover for many months, even years, to come.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for medical and dental expenses, funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov or completed on-line at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for medical and dental expenses, funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Donate Wisely to Help Hurricane Sandy Survivors

Calling 2-1-1 or Filing an Insurance Claim Does Not Register You with FEMA

WARWICK, R.I. – To receive federal disaster assistance, Rhode Islanders who experienced losses because of Hurricane Sandy and called the state’s 2-1-1 line must also register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The same applies to those who filed a flood insurance claim. They must register with FEMA to obtain assistance with essential needs not covered by insurance. Registering with 2-1-1 or filing a flood insurance claim does NOT register you with FEMA.

“Some Rhode Islanders mistakenly believe they registered for help from FEMA when they called 2-1-1 or their insurance company,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Nick Russo, who leads FEMA’s mission in Rhode Island. “We want to make sure everyone knows they have to contact FEMA directly to become eligible for federal assistance.”

To register with FEMA, go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov or to m.fema.gov if using a smartphone or call FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (3362).  Multilingual registration assistance is available. People with a speech disability or hearing loss who use a TTY can call 800-462-7585 directly; or 800-621-3362 if using 711 or Video Relay Service. Phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until further notice.

Individual assistance to homeowners and renters includes grants to cover expenses for temporary housing, home repair, and other serious disaster-related needs and expenses, such as replacement of personal property and medical, dental or transportation costs that are not covered by insurance or other assistance programs.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for medical and dental expenses, funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Calling 2-1-1 or Filing an Insurance Claim Does Not Register You with FEMA

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