In response to the recent tornadoes and floods, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering U.S. Department of Treasury disaster loans to small business owners affected by the natural disasters. Financial assistance is available to those who are located in an area President Obama has issued a natural disaster declaration.
SBA loans differ from the financial assistance FEMA offers. While FEMA offers financial assistance to residents, which they do not have to repay, the SBA only offers loans that borrowers must repay. These loans, however, are offered with low interest rates. Renters, homeowners and non-profit organizations can also apply for loans through the SBA. Homeowners can borrow up to $200,000, while business owners can borrow a maximum of $2,000,000.
The purpose of the SBA disaster loans is to help ensure businesscontinuity by assisting business owners with the costs associated with flood remediation, the process of restoring wet documents and building repairs. To receive a disaster loan, you must first file a claim with FEMA, which you can do online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). After filing a claim, FEMA will mail you a recovery package that contains an SBA application.
When you apply for an SBA loan, the lender does not consider your credit score. Instead, the lender bases its decision on your circumstances, need and ability to repay the loan amount requested. When filing a disaster claim, you will need you Social Security number, the address of the building in need of storm damage restoration, your current address, a current telephone number, insurance information, information regarding your income and a description of your losses.
After a week of solid rain in central Florida, residents are coming home to find their homes and businesses to have suffered not only from water damage, but also the resulting mold that has moved in. Bunnell and Flagler County have received up to 28 inches and some people are wading waist-deep in this disaster. Those in the neighborhoods east of the International Speedway in Daytona had to evacuate in boats.
WESH.com tells what some have resorted to in the aftermath of the rains:
“…What the residents found wasn’t pretty–stains on the walls of homes…showed that a foot of rain had been there.
The floodwater isn’t all gone just yet. There are still inches to mop up and furniture, clothes and files to throw out.
…Local businesses opened their doors only to clean up. It won’t be until later this week when most said they think they may be able to take customers again.”
But WAIT! Keep those files! They can be saved!
After a flood, a restoration specialist can be your best friend–especially when it comes to business continuity. Restoration specialists are able to salvage wet documents and those affected by mold.Water-damaged books, photos, blueprints, and other business documents can also be restored. Properly restoring wet documents will prevent mold growth and unnecessary loss of business.
As the Red River’s water levels begin to recede, residents of Fargo, North Dakota prepare to clean-up their communities and being the recovery process.
First, bags of sand and clay in the metro area will be removed next week. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be in charge of the clean-up efforts and will be focusing on the arterial streets first. They will remove dikes that were built in the city and then move into the neighborhoods to do the same. After, crews will continue their clean-up efforts in neighborhoods that did not have dikes built. This process will continue ’round the clock, 24 hours a day, until all the dikes are removed.
Even though it only took about nine days to put up the sandbags and clay, it could take up to 2-3 weeks to remove them. Students from the local college and the Fargo School District will be contracted to help with the clean-up efforts.
Flooding is one of the most common natural disasters in the United States. When cleaning up after a flood, one does not have to throw away flood damaged documents, wet photos, or books. Document restoration can help salvage these items and the same company that provides this type of service most likely will also be able to dry and restore other types of items damaged by flood waters.
In the wake of a storm and tornado that hit Anderson County in South Carolina this weekend that caused $1.5 million of damage, The Weather Guys with USA Today have reported there is a severe weather threat for many southern states:
“Low pressure over Texas will be the main weather maker today, with widespread thunderstorms already stretching from southwestern Missouri through central Texas this morning. Much of the region is at a slight risk for severe thunderstorms, including southern Oklahoma, central and eastern Texas, Louisiana, southern Arkansas, much of Mississippi and western Alabama. The area at greatest risk for tornadic thunderstorms this afternoon and evening includes southeastern Texas, central and southern Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi. This storm system will also bring moderate to heavy rainfall for parts of the southern Plains, lower Mississippi Valley and Tennessee Valley. Heaviest rainfall today and tonight is expected in southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana.
As the storm system moves eastward tonight and Monday, the severe thunderstorm threat will spread into parts of the Ohio Valley and Southeast.”
The National Weather Service has stated they predict the severe weather to last through 3:00 am. On Monday, however, strong winds and hail are predicted.
The states of Minnesota and North Dakota are seeking volunteers, reports the New York Times, as the Red River continues to rise past flood stage.
The river is already 18 feet above flood-stage in North Dakota and is expected to rise above 40-feet past flood stage by the end of the week. Officials are expected to need 1.9 million sandbags to aid with flood damage prevention. The San Francisco Gate reports:
“Gov. John Hoeven issued a statewide disaster declaration to help activate state resources and pave the way for federal aid. He said he has asked for help from the Army Corps of Engineers.
…Tuesday’s blizzard and above-average snowfall over the winter has set the stage for the flooding.
…Cities along the river already have declared flood emergencies to free up resources for flood fighting. Fargo has been planning a dike to protect City Hall and has ordered pumps to shore up low-lying areas.”
A flood planning meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 23, 2009 at 8:00 am at Fargo City Hall Commission Chambers. Visit the City of Fargo website for more information. The site also features the latest information about the latest flooding.
Before the worst happens in a flood, families should prepare emergency disaster plans and kits. Kits should include food, water, a flashlight, batteries, a list of important phone number, etc. It is also recommended that each vehicle have an emergency kit in it at all times as well. Read more.
In response to the recent tornadoes and floods, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering U.S. Department of Treasury disaster loans to small business owners affected by the natural disasters. Financial assistance is available to those who are located in an area President Obama has issued a natural disaster declaration.
