This weekend enjoy the 20^th anniversary of the Rhode Island National Guard Open House and Airshow. This outstanding display can be found on 1 Belver Avenue in North Kingstown, Rhode Island on the 26-27^th of June.  There are great performances by USAF Thunderbirds, C-130J Super Hercules, The Red Bull Air Force and so many more!

This is an event that people of all ages can enjoy and it’s free of charge! There are fun activities to participate in around the airport in an exciting and safe atmosphere. There are also sunscreen and earplugs available for the little ones that are donated by generous business in the area.

From the beginning the mission has been to, “put on a world class show featuring only the best aircraft and pilots and operate the show totally for the benefit of the community.” Over the past 19 years the RI Air Show’s contribution to local charities has surpassed $1,500,000 thanks to donations by the community, businesses, and attendees of the airshow.  This weekend fly over to Washington County for a performance that will take your breath away. If you wish, you may also make a donation at any of the entrances to support the Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

Bucci Insurance hopes your weekend in Rhode Island is at an all time high!

Blackstone River from Providence Journal / Sandor Bodo and Kris Craig

Rhode Island has just experienced one of the biggest disasters in our state’s history! The flood caused rivers all over the state to reach unprecedented levels. Two straight days of rain caused the Pawtuxet River to flow into communities along the river. It caused roads all over the state to be shut down because of flooding, even Route 95. Some residents in Warwick can’t flush their toilets because the sewage plant is shut down. On top of that the ground is giving way in some areas, hundreds of residents homes are have sustained water damage, many people are being evacuated from their homes, and the flood has left the whole state of Rhode Island in a disarray.

Now that everyone in the state has experienced a flood, at Bucci Insurance we think it is important for every Rhode Islander to know what to do before, during and after a flood. Today, we are going to talk about the plans of action before a flood strikes.

We realize that you may never know exactly when a flood is about to happen, but here are some things that you should do ahead of time. First, purchase flood insurance. We can not drill that into your head enough! It is important to have flood insurance, especially when living in a state surrounded by mostly water. Having home owners insurance does not cover floods.  At Bucci Insurance, we would be happy to help you set up your flood insurance policy. There are two different types of policies that are available. One is the standard flood insurance policy, which you can apply for if your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. The other policy that you can apply for is preferred risk flood insurance. If your home or business is in a low to moderate risk zone then this is the policy for you. While you aren’t required to purchase flood insurance if you live in these areas, having this policy will protect your home if a small or large flood extends into your area.

Next, make sure that you keep copies of all critical documents in a safe place like a lock box. Keep copies of insurance polices, finance records and even a list of all your possessions. Finally, make a family emergency plan. Have a safety kit ready with food, water, medical supplies, radio and flashlight. Make sure your family has a plan of action on how to evacuate and where you will go. It is important that you are prepared and ready next time a disaster like this hits our area.

Come back tomorrow to find out what to do during and after a flood. If you have any questions about flood insurance please contact us at Bucci Insurance. We would be happy to answer any questions that you may have. If you live in Kent, Newport, Providence, or Washington counties follow the link on how to apply for federal assistance.

Stay safe out there today!

It is a wet and bad one out there today Rhode Islanders! All over the state we have roads closed, roads collapsing and even malls closed; Many people are out of work today and kids are home because of school cancellations. This is all due to the heavy rains that Rhode Island has endured for the past two days. It seems that with each hour that goes by we are getting closer and closer to becoming the new underwater city! That is something that no one who lives in the state wants to hear, but it is a reality that the water levels are rising all around our places of work and homes. It is time for people to seriously start thinking about their flood insurance. At Bucci Insurance, we are waiting for your call to help you with any questions you may have about flood insurance. Call 887 210 7159 for a free quote.

One person that is taking notice of the raising levels of water in Rhode Island is President Obama. We blogged a couple days ago about how Governor Carcieri wrote a letter to the President asking him to declare counties in Rhode Island a major disaster area. A news release put out by FEMA yesterday on the 29th, stated that the President declared Kent, Newport, Providence and Washington counties in Rhode Island a major disaster area. This means that federal funding is now available to those counties which can include grants for temporary housing, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, and many other programs that will help the residents recover from this flood disaster.

All counties in Rhode Island will be able to receive federal funding  on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation. The Federal Coordinating Officer for recovery in the affected counties stated, there are damage surveys continuing in other counties, so that federal assistance may be designated to those counties in need once the assessments are completed.  On FEMA’s website they have posted the ways that residents and business owners in the four affected counties can begin to apply for assistance.

While damage surveys are still being conducted in other areas it is not certain that your area will be receiving any federal aid. If you do not live in one of the affected counties, please make a call to Bucci Insurance. We would be happy to speak to you about flood insurance.It is best that you think about purchasing flood insurance because if a disaster like this happens again, you will be covered. Our goal is too keep Rhode Island informed about the flood situation in our state and let people know about every way that Bucci Insurance can help. Please visit our Bucci Insurance Group website for information on flood insurance or call our toll free line.

Be safe driving on the roads today, and check back tomorrow to see more information on flood insurance!