Gov. Wolf Announces Aid Available in 26 Counties Following Record-Shattering Summer Rains
Harrisburg, PA – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Tom Wolf today announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved his request to declare a disaster in Bradford, Columbia, Delaware, Northumberland, Schuylkill and Susquehanna counties after significant flood damage to homes and businesses was sustained from severe storms between Aug. 10 – 15, 2018.
“Despite the devastating impact of these storms and the hard work of county and state emergency management personnel to document the damage and make the case for providing aid through the Individual Assistance program, the federal government determined that the scope of the damage didn’t warrant such aid,” said Governor Wolf. “In lieu of funding from that program, my office immediately sought support through the SBA. Low-interest loan programs like these have proven to be important financial lifelines for families recovering from catastrophic weather events.”
Homeowners, renters and businesses impacted by the storms in Bradford, Columbia, Delaware, Northumberland, Schuylkill and Susquehanna, as well as neighboring counties Berks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montgomery, Montour, Perry, Philadelphia, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union, Wayne and Wyoming may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans through the SBA Disaster Loan Programs.
Low-interest loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. SBA regulations permit loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property. Businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million to restore damaged or destroyed buildings, inventory, equipment and assets. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial qualifications.
The SBA will establish a Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC) to assist anyone who wishes to apply for a loan. Applicants from any eligible county may report to any DLOC location in order to get help. The DLOCs will be open at the following locations and times:
Bradford County:
Fairfield Inn By Marriott
1248 Gold Mile Road
Towanda, PA 18848
Columbia County:
Benton Borough Building
590 Everett Street
Benton, PA 17814
Delaware County:
Delaware County Emergency Services Building
360 North Middletown Road
Media, PA 19063
Northumberland County:
Warrior Run Area Fire Department Headquarters
1125 Main Street
Watsontown, PA 17777
Schuylkill County:
Port Carbon Borough Municipal Building
301 First Street P.O. Box 71
Port Carbon, PA 17965
Susquehanna County:
Susquehanna County Department of Public Safety County Office Building
81 Public Avenue
Montrose, PA 18801
Opening: Thursday, December 13: 11 a.m.
Days: Friday, Monday – Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, December 15: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Closed: Sunday, December 16
Closing: Thursday, December 20: 4 p.m.
SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the disaster loan outreach center to issue loan applications, answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals to complete their applications.
Individuals and businesses unable to visit the centers in person may obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), or by e-mailing " target="_blank" rel="noopener">
Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Completed applications should be returned to the local DLOC or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Feb. 11, 2019. The deadline to return economic injury disaster loan applications is Sept. 11, 2019.
