Disaster Assistance Approved for Victims of April Flooding in Cumberland County

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett announced today that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved his request and declared Cumberland County a disaster area after devastating flooding last month. The declaration also includes Adams, Dauphin, Franklin, Perry and York counties because victims in those counties sustained damages in the same storm.  

"We're grateful that the SBA quickly responded favorably to our request for assistance for these flood victims," Governor Corbett said. "Financial assistance will help residents get their lives back to normal as quickly as possible."  

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 center at the Lower Allen Township Municipal Services Center, 2233 Gettysburg Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011. The outreach center will be open Thursday, May 19 through Saturday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday, May 23 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, May 24 and Wednesday, May 25 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Thursday, May 26 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

SBA customer service representatives will be 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 center 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), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., or by e-mailing [email protected].  

Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be returned to the center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. Victims may apply for disaster loans from SBA's secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Default.aspx.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is July 18, 2011. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 20, 2012.  

Media contacts:  
Kevin Harley, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116
Ruth Miller, PEMA; 717-651-2009

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor