Governor Rendell Requests Disaster Assistance for Delaware County Flood Victims

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 12, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today asked the U.S. Small Business Administration to declare Delaware County a disaster area after a late-September flood damaged dozens of homes and businesses.

"This flooding disrupted the lives of residents and the livelihoods of business owners and their employees," Governor Rendell said. "Low-interest loans will help victims replace personal and business possessions lost in the flood, and I know this assistance will be much appreciated as we approach the holiday season."

SBA officials, along with local and state officials, have conducted damage assessments. The Governor used the results to request assistance from the SBA in the form of low-interest, long-term loans for qualifying individuals, homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profit organizations that were affected by the disaster.

According to Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Robert P. French, the damage in Delaware County exceeds SBA criteria of at least 25 homes and/or businesses with uninsured losses of 40 percent or more of their estimated fair market value.

If the disaster declaration is granted, the SBA would provide low-interest loans of up to $200,000 to eligible homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. SBA regulations permit loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial qualifications.

More information on disaster assistance in Pennsylvania is available at www.pema.state.pa.us by clicking on "Disaster Assistance" in the left-hand column.

Editor's Note: The text of Governor Rendell's letter to the SBA follows:

Dear Mr. Skaggs:

On September 30, 2010, individual homes and businesses in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, sustained significant damage as a result of flooding.  Based on the results of a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Damage Survey, the damage in Delaware County meets the SBA criteria of at least 25 homes and/or businesses with uninsured losses of 40 percent or more of their estimated fair market value.

Based on this information, I request that the SBA declare Delaware County a disaster area so that low interest loans may be made available to affected property owners.  The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will not ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance for this event.  

Should you need additional information, please contact Ms. Colleen Probst, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, at 717-651-2163 or via email at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Edward G. Rendell, Governor

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor