Teams Assessing Storm Damage in Rhode Island

Gov. Lincoln Chafee says teams of federal, state and local officials have begun assessing damage across Rhode Island caused by the blizzard.

Chafee says the four teams began working Tuesday on compiling a preliminary disaster assessment that will be used to determine if the state qualifies for federal disaster aid. He says the assessment should be done by Thursday.

The blizzard last Friday and Saturday brought strong wind gusts, up to 2 feet of snow and nearly 187,000 power outages to Rhode Island. Chafee asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Sunday to help perform a preliminary disaster assessment.

If the damage totals are high enough to qualify Rhode Island for federal aid, the governor hopes to get funding for state residents and state, local and tribal governments.