Winter wonderland or disaster?

When does a blizzard progress from a costly storm to a legitimate disaster? Rhode Island will soon find out.

The damage wreaked by the January blizzard, the three-day storm that began Jan. 26, could qualify for federal disaster aid. State officials are preparing a disaster declaration, based on reports collected from communities and state agencies.

A preliminary estimate puts the cost of the January blizzard at $9 million for state and local communities, according to a spokeswoman for Gov. Gina M. Raimondo. State agencies make up about $3 million of that initial assessment. Most of the state’s share is attributed to the R.I. Department of Transportation, which is responsible for plowing, sanding, and salting state roads and highways.

The state DOT budgeted about $14 million this year for its winter operations, according to spokeswoman Rose Amoros, a figure based on a five-year average. The agency had already reached that amount by the end of the series of storms that hit in early February, she said. But the figure includes funds for road treatment materials, such as salt and sand, which should last for the duration of the winter.

- Advertisement -

The application is expected to be made by the end of February, once initial community assessments are completed and validated by state officials, according to Marie Aberger, a spokeswoman for Raimondo.

The $9 million attributed to the blizzard is an initial estimate, based on assessments gathered by agencies and local communities and reported to the R.I. Emergency Management Agency.

The initial reports are the first step in a lengthy process that could lead to a federal disaster declaration. If the state is successful, disaster grant assistance could be available for activities including snow removal, emergency protective measures and restoration of any damaged public facilities.

As of Feb. 17, every community in the state except New Shoreham (Block Island) had prepared a preliminary damage assessment from the blizzard. Teams from FEMA and the state EMA began corroborating this information Feb. 11, according to Alex Ambrosius, a spokesman for RI EMA.

The numbers are expected to change as the state validates exact costs, and as additional figures come in from communities. Once the figures are completed, they will be forwarded to Raimondo, who will request a disaster declaration for federal assistance.

What makes a blizzard a disaster in the eyes of the federal government? FEMA has specific criteria, including the snow totals and duration of the event, as well as the damage assessments, including the overtime and material costs for road treatment. Requests for a declaration will include county-level information, as well.

Ultimately, the decision is made by the White House, said Ambrosius.

The blizzard resulted in a declaration of a disaster emergency from Raimondo, and left the Ocean State with varying amounts of snowfall. Worst hit was northern Rhode Island, according to the National Weather Service.

Raimondo, in a statement last week, said state officials would work as closely as possible with federal counterparts. “We will be doing everything we can to ensure Rhode Island receives any and all federal assistance available following the storm.” •

No posts to display