News and Media: Disaster 4753

Rhode Islanders affected by the severe storms that took place Sept. 10-13, 2023, have until March 7 to apply for federal disaster assistance. FEMA assistance can provide grants for home repair and other essential disaster-related expenses.

Disaster Recovery Centers in Johnston and Cumberland for those affected by the severe weather between Sept. 10-13, 2023 will be closed Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 for the Presidents Day holiday.

Federal and state disaster officials have recently become aware of scam artists calling Rhode Islanders affected by the September 10-13, 2023 storms and pretending to be FEMA representatives. The con artists will then ask for personal information, such as social security numbers and income and banking information. Giving out this type of information is enough for an unscrupulous person to make a false claim for disaster assistance as well as to commit identity theft.

A Disaster Recovery Center is opening today in Cumberland to help Rhode Island residents affected by the severe weather that took place from Sept. 10 – 13, 2023. The joint DRC, a temporary facility established in partnership between Cumberland, the state of Rhode Island and FEMA, will help survivors apply for FEMA assistance, upload documents and answer questions in person.

A little over 30 days after President Joe Biden declared a major disaster for the state of Rhode Island for the severe storms, flooding and tornado winds that occurred Sept. 10-13, 2023, $1,929,949 in federal assistance has been provided by FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to support the state’s recovery.