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 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 | -
With Blizzard Approaching, Delegation Requests Federal Emergency Declaration for RI
PROVIDENCE, RI - With a severe winter storm approaching, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline are urging the federal government to make federal assistance available to Rhode Island, if requested, to support emergency operations and...
Posted on 2/8/2013 | -
Congress Approves Sandy Disaster Relief Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate today voted 62 to 36 for a $50.5 billion disaster relief bill to help Rhode Island and other states clean up and recover from damage left in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which hit Rhode Island on October 29, 2012. U.S. Senator Jack Reed voted in favor of...
Posted on 1/28/2013 | -
Reed, Whitehouse & Langevin Announce $1.1 Million for Westerly Flood Protection & Wetlands Restoration
WESTERLY, RI - U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representative Jim Langevin today announced that the Town of Westerly will receive over $1.1 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant funding to acquire flood-ravaged properties located on Can...
Posted on 1/9/2013 | -
Reed Works to Secure Emergency Disaster Aid for RI
In an effort to help Rhode Island and other states recover from Superstorm Sandy, the Senate Appropriations Committee unveiled a $60.4 billion Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill. The legislation includes federal resources to help residents, businesses, and local commun...
Posted on 12/13/2012 |