President Obama on Tuesday declared Rhode Island a Federal disaster area, ordering federal aid for disaster relief and authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate relief efforts. The president said that the federal government would make available whatever resources the state needs to bounce back from the floods. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is scheduled to meet with state and local leaders to discuss response and recovery efforts. She will also tour flood-damaged areas. FEMA is sending two mobile Disaster Recovery Centers and setting up four fixed centers. Each center will be staffed with federal and state officers to process paperwork and help those affected by floods get the help they need. if you have suffered damage to personal property, real estate or your business as a result of the floods and you want to take advantage of the emergency funds available, you must register with FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=12569, you will be issued a nine-digit FEMA registration number. Take photos of damage, make lists of repairs and keep receipts to support your claim. The SBA is handling business claims, Small business owners can apply at http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/index.html. 1-800-659-2955. If you have been laid off or can't reach your job because of flooding, you can file for unemployment benefits online at www.dlt.ri.gov. This Week's Real Estate Insight When homes are under contract and a national disaster area is declared, most lenders will want those properties reinspected before closing. If you are under contract right now, stay on top of your mortgage commitments, and be mindful of updates from your mortgage broker. Help Is On The Way
- By Michael McCann
- Posted
President Obama on Tuesday declared Rhode Island a Federal disaster area, ordering federal aid for disaster relief and authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate relief efforts. The president said that the federal government would make available whatever resources the state needs to bounce back from the floods. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is scheduled to meet with state and local leaders to discuss response and recovery efforts. She will also tour flood-damaged areas. FEMA is sending two mobile Disaster Recovery Centers and setting up four fixed centers. Each center will be staffed with federal and state officers to process paperwork and help those affected by floods get the help they need. if you have suffered damage to personal property, real estate or your business as a result of the floods and you want to take advantage of the emergency funds available, you must register with FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=12569, you will be issued a nine-digit FEMA registration number. Take photos of damage, make lists of repairs and keep receipts to support your claim. The SBA is handling business claims, Small business owners can apply at http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/index.html. 1-800-659-2955. If you have been laid off or can't reach your job because of flooding, you can file for unemployment benefits online at www.dlt.ri.gov. This Week's Real Estate Insight When homes are under contract and a national disaster area is declared, most lenders will want those properties reinspected before closing. If you are under contract right now, stay on top of your mortgage commitments, and be mindful of updates from your mortgage broker. 
