Obama Approves Rhode Island Blizzard Disaster Declaration

Rhode Island officials say President Barack Obama has approved the state’s request for a disaster declaration connected to a blizzard in January that caused an estimated $4.7 million in damage.

Officials with the state Emergency Management Agency say the president approved the declaration on Friday, April 3.

The approval means that state agencies, local governments, tribal communities and certain nonprofit groups in all five of the state’s counties will be eligible for funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to recoup costs for preparing for and responding to the Jan. 26 storm.

The blizzard dumped nearly 2 feet of snow in parts of the state and brought high winds that crippled travel as Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo ordered a travel ban.