Rhode Island’s congressional delegation is pressing federal officials for answers after the Federal Emergency Management Agency twice rejected the state’s request for federal disaster aid following a devastating February blizzard.
In a Sept. 9 letter, U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Reps. Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo asked the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to preserve and produce all records tied to the state’s application for a major disaster declaration under the Stafford Act.
Delegation says state met thresholds
The delegation’s demand comes after Gov. Dan McKee submitted an application on April 7 seeking about $19 million in federal assistance to help Rhode Island recover from what state officials described as a hurricane-strength blizzard. FEMA denied the request on July 2, and after an appeal the agency upheld that decision on Sept. 2.
Rhode Island leaders contend the storm met — and in some places exceeded — FEMA’s damage thresholds. Much of the state was buried under more than 3 feet of snow; the official measurement at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport was 37.9 inches, surpassing the 28.6 inches recorded during the Blizzard of 1978.
"To date, FEMA has not provided Rhode Island officials with a written, detailed explanation for why the state's request was denied despite exceeding FEMA's thresholds for assistance," the delegation wrote.
FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton issued an explanation on Sept. 3 in a post on the social platform X, saying that states had not provided new information for FEMA to reconsider and adding that "winter weather is not new to the Northeast." The agency’s formal denial letters, according to the delegation, did not supply a specific written rationale beyond concluding that supplemental federal assistance was not warranted.
What lawmakers want
The congressional letter asks DHS and FEMA to preserve records and turn over documents connected to the decision-making and review of Rhode Island’s application. The delegation is effectively seeking evidence of how FEMA applied its criteria, any internal communications about the case, and the basis for declining assistance.
- Preservation of all records related to Rhode Island’s disaster request
- Production of documents explaining FEMA’s review and determinations
- Clarification of the legal and technical grounds for rejecting the Stafford Act application
Timeline of key actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Feb. 23 | Historic blizzard strikes Rhode Island; 37.9 inches recorded at T.F. Green Airport |
| April 7 | Governor McKee submits request for $19 million in federal aid under the Stafford Act |
| July 2 | FEMA denies Rhode Island’s request |
| Sept. 2 | FEMA denies state’s appeal |
| Sept. 3 | FEMA Administrator posts explanation on X |
| Sept. 9 | Rhode Island congressional delegation requests preservation and production of records |
Broader context and local concerns
Rhode Island is not the only Northeastern state whose request was denied. Officials in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts submitted similar appeals that were also turned down, drawing scrutiny from elected leaders who argue the storm’s intensity and the scale of cleanup and damage exceeded ordinary winter operations.
The delegation’s letter frames the issue as both a transparency matter and an accountability concern — asking federal authorities to show the documentation that led to the denial so Rhode Island can assess its options for further review or legal recourse. State officials have said the volume of snow and related impacts strained municipal resources and created public-safety and infrastructure challenges.
For residents and municipal officials, the potential absence of federal support could leave local governments and taxpayers shouldering recovery costs. The requested $19 million would have helped reimburse state and local response expenses, including snow removal and emergency services operations.
Next steps
FEMA has not released a written, detailed public explanation beyond the denial letters and the administrator’s social media comment. The congressional delegation’s request compels DHS and FEMA to preserve responsive records; it may also set up further oversight activity depending on what documents are produced and whether the agencies provide additional explanation.
Until more information is released by FEMA or DHS, the state’s leaders and members of the congressional delegation will likely continue to press for a fuller accounting of the agency’s decision-making process in denying the disaster declaration.
Priya Nair is a state correspondent for WE NEWS.
