President Obama Signs Rhode Island Disaster Declaration

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Rhode Island and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by Tropical Storm Irene during the period of August 27-29, 2011.
 
Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Tropical Storm Irene in Bristol, Kent, Newport, Providence, and Washington Counties.
 
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
 
W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Gracia B. Szczech as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.
 
FEMA said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT:  FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV (mailto:FEMA-NEWS-DESK@DHS.GOV)