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.