FEMA schedules Thursday briefing for Newport storm recovery 

Information will help government agencies and nonprofits apply for grants

Release Date: June 5, 2007
Release Number: 1704-001

» More Information on Rhode Island Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding

WINDSOR, Conn. -- Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are holding an applicants briefing Thursday, June 7 in Portsmouth to explain federal funding available to help Newport County local governments and eligible nonprofits recover from mid-April storm damage. The briefing will be held at the Portsmouth Town Hall, 2200 East Main Street, at 11 a.m.

Federal money for qualified losses, reimbursements and repairs became available when Rhode Island received a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Newport County on Friday, May 25, for storms that affected the state on April 15-16.

“We are working hard to help Newport County’s communities repair their public facilities and keep essential services up and running,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael L. (Mike) Parker. FEMA Public Assistance grants pay seventy-five percent of the cost of repairing damaged facilities and reimburse local governments and eligible nonprofits for eligible disaster expenses for emergency services.

Communities in Newport County are asked to send a representative of their finance and emergency management departments to gather forms and hear information needed to begin the reimbursement process.

Private, nonprofit agencies may be eligible for a FEMA grant if they provide an essential public service such as power transmission or health care and incurred a minimum of $1,000 of storm related expenses.

For more information call the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency at 401-946-9996.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Thursday, 14-Jun-2007 13:46:57