Feds Approve Phase II of RI Storm Recovery Plans

Press Release

The state's Congressional delegation today joined with Governor Lincoln D. Chafee to announce that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved the second round of the state's disaster recovery action plan.

Over the last two years, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline secured nearly $20 million in federal Community Development Block Grant, Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds designed to aid long-term recovery efforts related to Hurricane Sandy. Now the state will embark on a variety of infrastructure projects, including housing, economic development, and flood prevention.

Hurricane Sandy devastated coastal communities in the Northeast, affecting many Rhode Islanders. The majority of funds awarded are targeted to Washington County, as the area with the highest concentration of impact.

In recent weeks, HUD approved the State of Rhode Island's current Action Plan which details numerous projects. Among the activities funded are:

Installation of generators and related improvements to safeguard essential services in Charlestown, Hopkinton, Middletown, Newport, Richmond, South Kingstown, and Westerly, which were interrupted during recent disasters, assuring they are able to maintain operation during and after future events.

Housing stabilization efforts in areas highly impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This overall initiative includes provision of elevation certificates, housing counseling, residential rehabilitation/elevation activities and development of alternative housing choice for income-eligible populations. Alternative housing includes the ChurchWoods development in Charlestown, providing affordable housing options for area seniors.

Floodproofing of the Scarborough Wastewater Treatment Facility, which was breached by Hurricane Sandy's storm surge, and improvements to stormwater and wastewater pumping stations in Westerly.

Planning initiatives designed to make the State more resilient and enhance response to future natural disasters.

Shoreline stabilization of Camp Cronin, a public access fishing area, directly adjacent to a federal breakwater restoration project being conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers.

"This is another positive step in the recovery process. We have come a long way in helping neighborhoods and communities recover from the storm, but we need to keep working to rebuild stronger and smarter. Now that this phase of planning has been approved, federal dollars will flow to critical projects and we can put more people to work on housing, community reconstruction, and infrastructure needs," said Reed, Whitehouse, Langevin, and Cicilline in a joint statement.

"I am pleased that Rhode Island continues to be eligible for relief from Hurricane Sandy through HUD's Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program," Governor Chafee said. "Although Rhode Island was not in the direct path of the hurricane, it did cause considerable damage in our state specifically to our southern, coastal communities. Years after the storm, restoration is ongoing."

The current list of activities supported by this program has been attached to this release. Amendments to this plan, including additional activities, will be issued as funds are obligated.