Returning to normalcy after Hurricane Sandy

CREWS CLEAR SAND from Atlantic Avenue in Misquamicut on Nov. 1. / COURTESY THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
CREWS CLEAR SAND from Atlantic Avenue in Misquamicut on Nov. 1. / COURTESY THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

PROVIDENCE – For those residents who lost homes to flooding or storm surge the process may take longer, but Rhode Islanders are already working to move back to normalcy less a week after Hurricane Sandy hit the Northeast.

National Grid restored gas and electric power to all of the more than 122,000 Ocean State residents who were in the dark in the storm’s aftermath.

Storm surges and heavy winds hit Rhode Islanders hard, especially in the southern portion of the state. Pieces of homes were torn off and blown about neighborhoods and roads were covered with nearly a food of sand in some areas.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, President Barack Obama granted Rhode Island’s request for a federal disaster declaration in the hard-hit Washington, Bristol and Newport counties, where inspectors from the Federal Emergency Management Agency estimate there was at least $5.5 million in damage to public buildings and infrastructure.

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“This declaration is part of a process that supports the recovery,” said Sen. Jack Reed in prepared remarks. “This process won’t happen overnight and this remains a difficult budgetary environment, but I will do everything I can to ensure Rhode Island receives the federal assistance we need.”
There are two types of federal assistance: public assistance, which is generally used to help local governments and nonprofits, and individual assistance, which is generally used to help homeowners with serious unmet needs.

On Sunday, Nov. 4, Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee amended his request for disaster declaration to specifically mention individual assistance.

“Through the good work of FEMA teams on the ground in Rhode Island, we now have enough assessments complete to add individual assistance for Newport and Washington counties to our request for federal disaster declaration,” said Chafee in a statement. “This support will help Rhode Islanders who have suffered losses in the storm and help them return to normal.”

FEMA crews will continue to conduct damage assessment surveys throughout the state.

As the R.I. Emergency Management Agency partners with United Way of Rhode Island’s 2-1-1 hotline, Rhode Islanders whose brushes with Sandy resulted in property or business damage can report their situations by calling 2-1-1. Filing reports via the hotline helps the state seek disaster assistance for individuals, though filing a report does not guarantee federal or state assistance.

The R.I. Department of Labor and Training is offering assistance to businesses and employees who have been adversely affected by Sandy. Monday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., representatives from the Unemployment Insurance Division and Business Workforce Center will be at the newWorkri office in Wakefield at 4808 Tower Hill Road.

“Employers whose storm-related property damage resulted in worker layoffs may be granted relief from related unemployment benefit charges if their businesses are deemed eligible,” Director of Labor and Training Charles J. Fogarty said in a statement. “Under ordinary circumstances, employers are charged against their unemployment insurance account every time one of their employees draws on unemployment insurance. RI Law § 28-43-3 makes allowances for natural disasters or states of emergency.”

DLT employees will also provide assistance completing waivers for employers to bypass the one-week waiting period standard for unemployment insurance benefits.

Anyone interested in volunteering in affected areas of Rhode Island should visit www.serverhodeisland.org or call 2-1-1 to register. Volunteer opportunities exist for both individuals and businesses, but RIEMA insisted volunteers not show up unannounced at disaster sites. “Volunteer help may be needed in many communities; however, the goal is to match the community needs with volunteer skill sets and availability,” said the RIEMA release.

Donations to Sandy victims can be made to any recognized volunteer agency, though cash donations are the most useful. For additional information on needs, call 2-1-1. Donations can also be made through the National Donation Management Network at www.ndmn.us/RI.

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