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
-
Reed Asks U.S. Forest Service to be Ready to Assist RI with Wildfires
- U.S. Senator Jack Reed today called on the U.S. Forest Service to stand ready to assist Rhode Island as the state deals with the elevated risk of forest and brush fires. Over the last several weeks, dry, windy conditions and warm weather prompted the Rhode Island Depart...
Posted on 4/19/2012 | -
Reed and Whitehouse Announce $6.45 Million in Disaster Relief Funds
PROVIDENCE, RI - In an effort to help repair and restore infrastructure damaged by the historic floods of 2010 and Hurricane Irene, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today announced the federal government is releasing $6.45 million in federal funds for the Rhode Island Natural Resou...
Posted on 1/18/2012 | -
RI to Receive Over $3.7 Million in Federal Funds to Fix Storm-Damaged Roads
Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation today announced the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is awarding Rhode Island $3.7 million to help fix bridges and roads damaged last year by Hurricane Irene. The funds will be used to offset costs incurred by the st...
Posted on 1/6/2012 | -
USDA Approves Statewide Disaster Declaration for RI Farmers
U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved natural disaster declaration assistance for all Rhode Island farmers that suffered damage as a result of Tropical Storm Irene. This declaration...
Posted on 10/6/2011 | -
USDA Approves Disaster Declaration for RI Farmers
U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a disaster declaration for nine Massachusetts counties, which will also benefit farmers in the adjacent Rhode Island counties of Bristol, Newport, and...
Posted on 9/22/2011 | -
Reed Announces $6 Billion for FEMA Disaster Relief in Appropriations Bill
U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a member of the Appropriations Committee, announced that the Homeland Security Appropriations bill approved by the full Appropriations Committee today includes $6 billion for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in disaster relief fundi...
-
Reed: RI to Officially Welcome Okeanos to its New Homeport on October 17
NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI - U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced that on October 17th, federal, state and local officials and the public will gather to celebrate the homecoming and homeporting of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) newest research vessel, Okeannos Ex...
Posted on 9/6/2011 |
