R.I. receives more than $1M from FEMA to cover Jan. storm costs

HEAVY SNOW and blizzard conditions as seen in Providence on Jan. 27. More than $1 million in federal assistance has been delivered to Rhode Island to help cover the costs of the storm.  / PBN FILE PHOTO/FRANK MULLIN
HEAVY SNOW and blizzard conditions as seen in Providence on Jan. 27. More than $1 million in federal assistance has been delivered to Rhode Island to help cover the costs of the storm. / PBN FILE PHOTO/FRANK MULLIN

PROVIDENCE – More than $1 million in federal assistance has been delivered to Rhode Island to help cover the costs of the Jan. 26-28 severe winter storm that covered parts of the state in up to 3 feet of snow, said state and federal officials.
The state has received $1,097,967 in Federal Emergency Management Agency aid thus far to pay for emergency protective measures during and after the blizzard and for snow removal, according to the agency.
“The January storm was a three day event that drained the coffers of many affected communities,” Peter Gaynor, state coordinating officer and R.I. Emergency Management Agency director, said in a statement. “The federal dollars are assisting local governments by replenishing city budgets in time for what could be another record-breaking winter.”
Federal Coordinating Officer Albie Lewis, head of FEMA’s recovery operations in R.I., said, “We will continue to support our state and local partners to ensure that applicants receive all of the assistance for which they are eligible.”
Immediately following the late January storm, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo requested preliminary damage assessments in five Rhode Island counties – Bristol, Kent, Newport, Providence and Washington – and sent the assessments to FEMA with a request for a federal disaster declaration.
President Barack Obama approved the request in early April.
FEMA’s Public Assistance Program provides eligible applicants (state and local governments and certain private non-profit organizations) federal funds to pay 75 percent of the approved cost for assistance categories such as debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster and for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities such as roads, buildings and utilities.
Both FEMA and the state ensure disaster projects comply with regulations and manage the distribution of public assistance funds to municipalities and qualified nonprofit organizations.

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