Home Economy Economic Activity Trump denies disaster declaration for R.I. from February’s historic blizzard

Trump denies disaster declaration for R.I. from February’s historic blizzard

By

PBN Staff

-

07/06/2026

Winter Weather Rhode Island — JESUS TORRES shovels out his Cranston driveway after a winter storm dumped about 3 feet of snow across Rhode Island from Feb. 22-23. A request for federal disaster assistance from February’s historic blizzard has been denied, the state’s congressional delegates announced Monday. / AP FILE PHOTO/CHARLES KRUPA

PROVIDENCE – A request for federal disaster assistance from February’s historic blizzard has been denied, the state’s congressional delegates announced Monday. On July 2, President Donald Trump denied the request from both Rhode Island and New York for federal funding from the historic storm that brought more than 3 feet of snow to the Ocean

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1 COMMENT

bill@aquidneckcustom.com 07/07/2026 At 8:54 am

well- Partisan politics seems to be what Rhode Island is best at. — Enjoy your just desserts Mr Reed and the rest.
I would say that the citizens of RI that actually needed assistance can blame their representation not the feds.. Get smart RI and vote those liberals out of office.

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PROVIDENCE – A request for federal disaster assistance from February’s historic blizzard has been denied, the state’s congressional delegates announced Monday. On July 2, President Donald Trump denied the request from both Rhode Island and New York for federal funding from the historic storm that brought more than 3 feet of snow to the Ocean State. The delegation said Trump approved more than $846 million in disaster relief funds for nine Republican-leaning states on the same day. “When extreme weather strikes, helping people stay safe and helping communities recover shouldn’t be a partisan issue,” Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Reps. Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo, all of whom are Democrats, said in a joint statement. “The President’s denial is part of a pattern of extreme partisanship as he tries to shift a heavier economic burden onto blue states. Disaster aid should be merit-based, not politicized. This is a petty move that hurts people across the political spectrum." Dubbed the Blizzard of ’26, more than 3 feet of snow fell in parts of Rhode Island, including Providence, from Feb. 22-23, surpassing snow totals from the historic Blizzard of 1978. The storm blanketed the region with snow, canceled flights, disrupted transit and downed power lines. The Rhode Island delegates sought the emergency declaration on Feb. 22. They are now urging the state to appeal the decision, which must be done within 30 days of notification, and are calling on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to explain in detailed writing why the state’s request for assistance was denied. In a July 3 letter to Trump, the delegates said Rhode Island worked with FEMA on a Preliminary Damage Assessment submitted April 7 that found more than $19 million in validated damages, well above the threshold for a major disaster declaration. Currently all five counties in Rhode Island are eligible for Economic Injury Disaster Loans for those impacted by the historic February blizzard through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private, nonprofit organizations can apply for low-interest loans up to $2 million. The economic-injury declaration also covers Bristol, Norfolk and Worcester counties in Massachusetts, as well as New London and Windham counties in Connecticut. With terms up to 30 years, businesses can apply for 4% interest loans, while nonprofit organizations are eligible for 3.6% interest loans. The application deadline is March 10, 2027, and can be submitted through the SBA portal.