RI Delegation Seeks Federal Emergency Declaration for RI Due to Historic Winter Storm

Federal emergency declaration would help streamline response and let state and local jurisdictions seek reimbursement for some response costs tied to the storm

PROVIDENCE, RI - As an historic blizzard slams the northeast and has already caused severe power outages for tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders, and with high winds and a significant amount of snow forecast in the hours ahead, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo are urging President Trump to make federal assistance available to Rhode Island, if requested, to support emergency operations and recovery due to the blizzard conditions.

The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for the entire state of Rhode Island. The coastal storm is hitting the state so hard with heavy snow fall and high wind gusts that even snow plows are getting stuck, according to the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency. People should exercise caution during severe weather.

In an effort to help local Rhode Island communities and the state respond to the blizzard and do everything it can to keep people safe, the state's Congressional delegation sent a letter urging President Trump to issue a major disaster declaration for Rhode Island and to expedite any and all emergency assistance. A federal disaster declaration from the president would free up federal funding and generally allow for a quicker, streamlined response to an emergency.

Full text of the letter follows:

Dear Mr. President:

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for Rhode Island beginning on Sunday, February 22. Because of the potentially severe impacts to the state, we urge you to promptly approve any request for federal assistance from the State of Rhode Island, including a request for an emergency or disaster declaration under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. There is no reason FEMA cannot utilize the more than $9 billion currently in the Disaster Relief Fund, which continues to be available during a shutdown.

Sincerely,