Federal Aid to Rhode Island for January Blizzard Tops $1M

Officials say federal aid to Rhode Island to help cover costs of a January blizzard that dumped nearly 2 feet of snow in parts of the state has topped more than $1 million.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, says Rhode Island has received $1,097,967 in aid thus far to pay for emergency measures during and after the Jan. 26 blizzard and for snow removal.

The blizzard caused an estimated $4.7 million in damage.

Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency Director Pete Gaynor says the funds are replenishing city budgets in time for what could be another record-breaking winter.

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo requested preliminary damage assessments in five Rhode Island counties immediately after the blizzard and requested a federal disaster declaration.

President Barack Obama approved the request in early April.