Governor Greg Abbott announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved his request for a disaster declaration for South Texas communities affected by severe storms last month. The counties included in the declaration are Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Live Oak, Nueces, and San Patricio.
“With the approval of this disaster declaration, South Texans impacted by severe storms last month will have access to critical financial assistance they need to recover,” said Governor Abbott. “Texans who sustained any storm damage are encouraged to apply for low-interest loans so they can rebuild their homes or businesses. I thank the Texas Division of Emergency Management for working diligently with our federal partners to issue this disaster declaration for South Texas communities.”
The SBA will provide access to Home Disaster Loans, Business Physical Disaster Loans, and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs. These loans offer low-interest options for homeowners, renters, and businesses in the affected areas following May’s severe storms and tornadoes.
Applicants can apply online at sba.gov/disaster or call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 for more information on disaster assistance. For those with hearing or speech disabilities, telecommunications relay services can be accessed by dialing 7-1-1. Completed applications should be mailed to the U.S. Small Business Administration at their Processing and Disbursement Center in Fort Worth.
To assist applicants further, an SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center will open tomorrow at 12:00 PM at 601 E. Main Street in Alice, TX 78332. It will operate weekdays from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM to help explain the application process and answer questions about loan programs.
Governor Abbott is committed to providing resources to support local communities impacted by recent severe weather events. His efforts include requesting a federal disaster declaration and coordinating joint preliminary damage assessments with local, state, and federal partners.
