Here is a comprehensive list of links to information from government agencies and other organizations providing relief to those impacted by the flooding. PBN will continue to add to the list; please send information for it to nesi@pbn.com with the subject line “Flood Resources.”
State government
RI.gov’s flood information site: floodrecovery.ri.gov
Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA’s main Rhode Island flood page: fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=12569
To apply for FEMA assistance: fema.gov/assistance/index.shtm
Tips on how to deal with flooding: fema.gov/hazard/midwestfloods.shtm
The R.I. Emergency Management Agency: riema.ri.gov
Other federal assistance
A summary of all federal government aid programs is at fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=50706
U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans fact sheet is at whitehouse.senate.gov (PDF)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Section 203(h) mortgage insurance for disaster victims
Section 203(k) rehabilitation mortgage insurance
Section 108 loan guarantees (for state and local governments)
EDC Emergency Flood Fund
The R.I. Economic Development Corporation has created a $500,000 Emergency Flood Fund to assist affected businesses with funding from the EDC’s Small Business Loan Fund. Manufacturers, retailers and some service firms can receive between $10,000 and $100,000.
More information, including terms and conditions, is at riedc.com/news/2010/03/flood-funding-small-businesses or call (401) 278-9129.
Cities and towns
Information for Warwick residents at warwickri.gov
Providence flood debris removal schedule at providenceri.com
Local organizations
American Red Cross, Rhode Island chapter: riredcross.org
United Way of Rhode Island’s 2-1-1 hotline service is working with the R.I. Emergency Management Agency to help residents. Dial 2-1-1 for assistance or to ask questions.
Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce workshops on flood recovery: providencechamber.com/flood.aspx
Rhode Island Bar Association free consultations: ribar.com
National Grid
List of outages: nationalgridus.com/narragansett/stormcenter
If you smell natural gas, call 1-800-640-1595. For other natural gas service inquiries, call 1-800-870-1664
For electric service inquiries, call 1-800-322-3223. To report an electric outage, call 1-800-465-1212.
Unemployment insurance for flood victims
The R.I. Department of Labor and Training’s page with information on unemployment insurance for flood victims: dlt.ri.gov/ui/FloodInfo.htm
Employers – but not workers – can also call DLT at (401) 462-8999 or e-mail uiemployerhelp@dlt.ri.gov. Workers can visit dlt.ri.gov or call (401) 243-9100.
Closings and cancellations
The R.I. Department of Transportation’s updated list of closed roads: www.dot.ri.gov/Flooded_streets_March2010.asp
The Rhode Island Broadcasters Association’s central database of closings and delays by schools and other organizations: ribroadcasters.com/News_and_Events/Closings_Delays
The R.I. Public Transit Authority posts detours on its press page: ripta.com/news/pr.php
Local emergency contacts
Last Updated: April 9, 11 a.m.
