Disaster declaration extended to cover all of RI after DHS boss tours state by helicopter

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Disaster declaration extended to cover all of RI

WARWICK, R.I. — Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri (kuh-CHEHR’-ee) and the flooded state’s Emergency Management Agency say the president has approved their request to amend a federal major disaster declaration, meaning the entire state now is considered a disaster area.

President Barack Obama had already declared a disaster in much of Rhode Island, triggering federal aid. The declaration was extended Friday to the last remaining area, Bristol County.

Federal Emergency Management Agency teams worked for two days to assess the damage there.

Carcieri says he’d like to express his appreciation to Obama and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano for their support and swift action.

Napolitano took a helicopter tour over Rhode Island on Friday, witnessing waterlogged shopping malls and homes with people’s possessions laid out to dry in their yards.

Associated Press writer John Curran in West Warwick contributed to this report.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WARWICK, R.I. (AP) — Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri (kuh-CHEHR’-ee) and the flooded state’s Emergency Management Agency say the president has approved their request to amend a federal major disaster declaration, meaning the entire state now is considered a disaster area.

President Barack Obama had already declared a disaster in much of Rhode Island, triggering federal aid. The declaration was extended Friday to the last remaining area, Bristol County.

Federal Emergency Management Agency teams worked for two days to assess the damage there.

Carcieri says he’d like to express his appreciation to Obama and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano for their support and swift action.

Napolitano took a helicopter tour over Rhode Island on Friday, witnessing waterlogged shopping malls and homes with people’s possessions laid out to dry in their yards.

Associated Press writer John Curran in West Warwick contributed to this report.