Rhode Islanders impacted by the floods in December and January will now be eligible for federal relief funding due to a disaster declaration signed by President Joe Biden last week.

Following letters sent by all four members of Rhode Island’s federal delegation, Biden signed two actions, which ordered federal assistance to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and flooding from December 17 to December 19, 2023 and January 9 to January 13, 2024. The assistance is available to individuals in Kent, Providence, and Washington counties.

Much like after the declaration of disaster for September 2023’s floods, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) will be operating in Rhode Island to assist residents in applying for assistance. According to Cranston Fire Chief Robert Ryan, long-term aid centers will be opened in Smithfield, West Warwick, Coventry, and Westerly.

There are several ways to apply for federal assistance. One can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in most languages, and the Helpline is available daily from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m eastern time. 

One can also go online to DisasterAssistance.gov (also in Spanish) or download the FEMA mobile app (also in Spanish), available at Google Play or the Apple App Store.

For those looking for federal relief, it may be helpful if you take pictures and write down the damage you have before you begin. Then, as you go, save any receipts for cleaning or repairing your property

FEMA wishes to remind residents that FEMA inspectors will always have an ID badge. They will never ask for money, and they do not determine if you are eligible for assistance.