Natural Disasters & Emergency Response
Enhancing Rhode Island’s Emergency & Disaster Preparedness
Rhode Island’s coastal location makes it susceptible to natural disasters such as flooding, hurricanes, and snowstorms. And when disasters have struck, Senator Reed has been there to help Rhode Islanders recover.
When the historic flooding of 2010 hit Rhode Island, Reed helped ensure over $200 million in federal flood assistance to help families, businesses, and communities rebuild.
The best way to cope with a natural disaster and limit the damage is to plan ahead and be prepared. Senator Reed has supported forward-thinking measures to enhance our emergency preparedness and improve our critical infrastructure. He helped secure millions of dollars to upgrade the Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and increase security at the Port of Providence
Read More »As a member of the Appropriations Committee, he secured federal funding for local communities to create a unified, interoperable, emergency communications system so that first responders and law enforcement can effectively communicate with each other during emergencies. He also directed federal dollars to Rhode Island to update vital drainage systems across the state to help prevent flooding in the future.
Key Priorities & Accomplishments
- In 2009, Reed helped secure $8.26 million in federal funding to make repairs and undertake flood protection and water restoration initiatives at Fox Point Hurricane Barrier, Woonsocket’s floodwall, Ten Mile River, and the Blackstone River Watershed.
- Reed authored the National Flood Mapping Act, which was approved by the Senate, to make sure flood maps are up to date so businesses and homeowners know if they are at risk of flooding.
- Reed secured a federal income tax filing extension for Rhode Islanders affected by the 2010 floods.
- To enhance public safety and save Rhode Island taxpayers millions of dollars, Reed helped transfer responsibility for the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier and the Woonsocket Dam and flood control levees to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. This takes the economic burden of operating and maintenance costs off of the city of Providence and Woonsocket and helps prevent local homeowners living downstream from costly increases in flood insurance.
The Latest
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RI Receives $500,000 to Help Unemployed Assist with Sandy Recovery Efforts
In an effort to assist with post-Superstorm Sandy cleanup and recovery efforts, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today announced that the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) will receive $500,000 in federal funds through the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Emergency...
Posted on 6/3/2013 | -
Reed: RI to Get Nearly $4.5 Million in Interior Funds for Sandy Relief
During a hearing today before the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior & Environment, chaired by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced that the Department is releasing $475.25 million in emergency Superstorm Sandy...
Posted on 5/7/2013 | -
Reed Encourages RI Teens to Apply for National Youth Preparedness Council
U.S. Senator Jack Reed is encouraging interested Rhode Island teens to apply to serve on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Youth Preparedness Council. FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council is a unique opportunity for young leaders from around th...
Posted on 3/22/2013 | -
Reed Announces $2.1 Million in Food Aid for RI Families Impacted by Snow Storm
In an effort to help Rhode Islanders in need who lost food during the recent winter storm power outages, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide up to $2.1 million in federal funding to communities throughout the stat...
Posted on 2/21/2013 | -
RI to Receive $15 Million to Help Repair Roads Damaged by Superstorm Sandy
Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation today announced that the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will receive $15 million in federal funding to help repair roads and infrastructure damaged by Superstorm Sandy. “These federal funds will help RIDO...
Posted on 2/12/2013 | -
Reed on Face the Nation
Posted on 2/11/2013 | -
TRANSCRIPT: Reed on Face the Nation
SCHIEFFER: Today on Face the Nation, blizzards, drones, and cyberattacks, and yes, there's more. Still recovering from super storm Sandy, the heavily populated northeast was pounded by a monster blizzard that stretched from New Jersey to Canada. Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, whose state was among the har...
Posted on 2/10/2013 |
