Resources for Flood Victims

FEMA & State Grants Will Not Affect Taxes Or Social Security (6/23/10)

Rhode Island recipients of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief grants will not have to pay taxes on those funds.

Read more >>

Flood Insurance Update (6/14/10)

The Senate continued to debate legislation (H.R. 4213) that includes a year-long extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Since the bill also includes a number of contentious issues, Senate leaders continue to work to find the 60 votes needed for passage. Senate action is not expected until late the week of June 14th. Any changes made to the bill by the Senate will require the House to approve the modified measure.

Since June 1, 2010, the NFIP has not had statutory authority to issue new or renewal flood insurance policies, which are required for mortgages in the 100-year floodplain. NAR has been urging Congress not to wait for agreement on the larger package and immediately pass the NFIP extension provision as separate legislation, and has issued an all-member Call for Action to keep up the pressure. We would encourage you to write your members of Congress; just click on the link below to "Take Action Now!"

Meanwhile, various lending authorities (FEMA, Fannie, Freddie, etc.) have issued guidance describing the documentation they will accept as proof of flood insurance purchase while the NFIP is shutdown.

Visit the Flood Insurance Update page listed below to download the guidance documents, which you can take with you and cite to your lender.

Flood Insurance Update
Take Action Now!
Visit NAR's Homepage on Natural Disaster/Flood Insurance

Rhode Island Housing – Help Center For Those With Difficulty Making Their Mortgage Payments

As service providers across the state are pulling together to help families negatively impacted by the flood, Rhode Island Housing is offering HelpCenter services to families having difficulty making their mortgage payments.

In addition to making families aware of FEMA, 211 and local lending assistance, HelpCenter counselors are available to help families negatively impacted by the flooding work with their lender/servicers to assess their specific situation.

Rhode Island Housing customers continue to be serviced directly by the Mortgage Servicing Customer Service Department. Customer Service is providing resource information to flood victims in addition to developing an individual plan for borrowers experiencing financial hardship resulting from the historical flooding. Rhode Island Housing customers can contact Customer Service at 401 457-1180 or 1 800-854-1180.

Disaster Recovery Centers Open In Washington And Providence Counties

Federal-State Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) will open in Washington and Providence Counties on Tuesday, April 13, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced.

The Washington County DRC is located at the following address:

Washington County
Wakefield Mall
160 Old Tower Hill Road
South Kingston, RI 02879

The Providence County DRC is located at the following address:

Providence County
Berkeley Commons
500 Mendon Road
Cumberland, RI 02864

Hours at both DRC locations are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Representatives of state, federal, voluntary agencies and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available to answer questions and provide recovery information. Written materials about various assistance programs are also available to individuals and business owners. No cash, checks, debit cards or vouchers are distributed at DRCs. Centers are for the dissemination of information to assist in disaster recovery.

Those affected by the disaster are encouraged to register for assistance before they visit a DRC by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for hearing- or speech-impaired. Registration can also be done online at www.fema.gov .

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders and to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Rhode Islanders Urged To Register For Assistance

Disaster assistance is now available for Rhode Islanders in all five counties who suffered losses related to severe storms and flooding beginning on March 12 and continuing. Disaster officials with the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urge people with uninsured or underinsured losses to register for help as soon as possible.

Information on Registering >>

Receive FEMA Updates Via Email >>

RI Flood Recovery Resource Guide >>

On-line Information for Flood Victims

As clean up continues around the Ocean State after last week's record flooding, flood victims are encouraged to call 211 to be connected to statewide resources that will assist homeowners and renters. United Way of Rhode Island operates the 211 line with comprehensive information and referral services, free of charge, 24 hours a day, every day, and in every language. Also, business owners can visit the Providence Chamber of Commerce Flood Information page on their web site for a list of resources targeted to Rhode Island businesses.

Need for Used Items for Flood Victims

Due to the devastation occurred by a large number of Rhode island residents by the recent floods, RI Donation Exchange Program, a 501 (c) 3, operated as the only FURNITURE BANK in the State serving RI residents, will be accepting donations of new and gently used furniture, clothing, linens, working household appliances and furnishings to assist the many flood victims.

All items will be picked up by our staff free of charge. Donors will receive a tax donation form. Please contact Mary Landreville, Executive Director at 401-831-5516 to schedule a pickup or send cash donations to RIDEP at 20 River Avenue Providence RI 02908.

The items will assist families in rebuilding their lives and homes. Please assist the victims of this catastrophe by helping them in starting over.

Rhode Islanders Cautioned When Returning Home After Flooding

Returning home after a flood can be both physically and mentally challenging. The federal and Rhode Island Emergency Management Agencies (FEMA and RIEMA) offer some recommended precautions for when authorities have determined it is safe to return home.

What To Do Before Returning Home After Flooding >>

HUD institutes 90 day moratorium on FHA mortgages

Charles A. Lovell, Esq. of Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has instituted a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of FHA-insured mortgages in four Rhode Island counties following the recent severe flooding. The counties of Kent, Newport, Providence and Washington are affected. We will be contacting lenders regarding foreclosure forbearance, cancellations, continuations and restarts for these counties. Lenders can obtain further information from the HUD website.

Rhode Island's Attorney General, Patrick Lynch, is asking all lenders to consider voluntary moratoria on non-FHA mortgages as well. Senator Jack Reed will also be contacting lenders to ask for assistance in this regard.

Flood Insurance Claims and Coverage – FAQ’s