President Obama on Saturday granted Rhode Island's request for a federal disaster declaration for Washington, Bristol, and Newport counties for damage from Superstorm Sandy.
A day earlier, Governor Chafee, requested the declaration to provide Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance for public infrastructure in three of the state's five counties and hazard mitigation statewide.
Preliminary estimates by FEMA inspectors have pegged public road and building damage at $5.5 million in the three counties. FEMA is continuing to conduct damage assessment surveys throughout the state.
Based on these, Chafee may submit a request for an expanded declaration which could provide assistance for private property owners. Assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans for uninsured property losses.