RI To Get $1 Million Fed. Reimbursement for Snow Removal Costs

Rhode Island's congressional delegation announced today that Rhode Island will be on the receiving end of a $1 million infusion of federal money to make up for the cost of winter cleanup from a blizzard last February.

The storm, referred to by the Weather Channel as "Winter Storm Nemo" but otherwise known as "that big blizzard last February" dumped upwards of two feet of snow across the state and cut power to about 180,000 electricity customers.

According to a release, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Jim Langevin and David Cicilline worked together to ensure Rhode Island qualified for federal disaster assistance and received the maximum amount of funding for which it is eligible.  The announcement that the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will be reimbursed $1,024,670.32 is a part of that effort.

“Keeping our roads safe and clear after a major storm can be difficult and costly.  We applaud FEMA for reimbursing RIDOT over $1 million for the costs of snow and ice removal.  All this snow has exacted a heavy price on state and local budgets and we will continue doing everything we can at the federal level to help,” said Reed, Whitehouse, Langevin and Cicilline in a joint statement.

FEMA will reimburse Rhode Island for 75 percent of all eligible costs incurred between February 8-9, 2013.