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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Delegation Announces $6 Million to Repair Storm Damage & Help Protect Businesses at Quonset
NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today joined with Governor Lincoln Chafee to announce $6 million in federal funding for the Quonset Development Corporation in North Kingstown and the Rhode Island Departmen...
Posted on 12/10/2012 | -
Three FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers to Open in RI
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI - U.S. Senator Jack Reed today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be partnering with local and state officials to open three Disaster Recovery Centers in southern Rhode Island this week to help those impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The centers w...
Posted on 11/15/2012 | -
Hurricane Sandy
November 2, 2012...
Posted on 11/2/2012 | -
Northeast Fishery Disaster Funding Letter
In a letter to Majority Leader Harry Reid, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker John Boehner, and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Senator Jack Reed and 22 of his congressional colleauges called on Congress to assist fishermen and the fishing community in the Northeast. Text of the letter is below...
Posted on 9/17/2012 | -
Federal Funds Help Bristol with Critical Flood-Control Project
BRISTOL, RI - In an effort to protect Bristol from flooding, encourage economic growth, and create jobs, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today joined federal and local officials to celebrate construction of the new Tanyard Brook culvert in Bristol, which will control flooding around the Tanyard Brook watersh...
Posted on 7/30/2012 | -
Congress Approves Extension of National Flood Insurance Program
In an effort to protect Rhode Island homeowners and businesses, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today voted for a bipartisan, five-year reauthorization and reform of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the federally-backed coverage necessary for some 5.6 million property owne...
Posted on 6/29/2012 | -
Reed Seeks Long-Term Extension of National Flood Insurance Program
In an effort to protect Rhode Island homeowners and businesses, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) is calling for a long-term reauthorization and reform of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the federally-backed coverage mandated for some 5.6 million properties owners nationwid...
Posted on 6/15/2012 |