R 268
2001-H 6499
Enacted 6/12/2001


H  O  U  S  E     R  E  S  O  L  U  T  I  O  N

MEMORIALIZING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY TO RECONSIDER RHODE ISLAND'S APPEAL FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE MARCH 2001 FLOODS

Introduced By:  Representatives Long, Cambio, Amaral, W. H. Murphy and Trillo Date Introduced:   June 12, 2001

WHEREAS, In the aftermath of the March 2001 rains, many Rhode Island residents are struggling to respond to flooding problems. They have seen their homes and possessions destroyed and their lives disrupted. It is estimated that over 860 homes suffered losses. Problems range from structural damage to wet basement floors to sewage back-ups; and

WHEREAS, Over 85 percent of the people effected by the March 2001 floods did not have flood insurance and did not live in a special flood hazard area, and therefore, have little or no resources available to seek financial and structural reprieve throughout post event recovery; and

WHEREAS, Three contiguous counties in the neighboring State of Massachusetts received assistance for 718 homes for a sum of approximately $3.5 million in federal assistance for damages incurred from the March 2001 floods. According to the rainfall data from the National Weather Service, Rhode Island received as much and in several instances more rainfall than neighboring Massachusetts counties, yet these abutting Rhode Island counties were denied an Individual Assistance Declaration award; and

WHEREAS, The state is working hard to prevent and mitigate future disasters that affect the people and property of Rhode Island. Technical assistance to the state and local agencies as well as the private sector and citizens is crucial. Public education and training opportunities to teach flood mitigation practices and how best to implement the National Flood Program is essential; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby urges the President of the United States and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reconsider Rhode Island's appeal for federal funding due to the March 2001 floods; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Rhode Island Delegation to the Congress of the United States and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

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