Today, Governor Josh Stein announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved a disaster declaration for several counties in North Carolina affected by Tropical Storm Chantal. This decision follows the governor’s request for federal assistance to aid those impacted by the storm.
The declaration applies to Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Durham, Granville, Orange, Person, and Wake counties. Residents and business owners in these areas may now be eligible for low-interest disaster loans to help recover from severe flooding caused by the storm.
“This declaration will help families and business owners across central North Carolina who are still reeling from the severe flooding caused by Tropical Storm Chantal,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I want to thank the Small Business Administration for swiftly approving this request. North Carolinians are resilient and will get through this together.”
Homeowners and renters can apply for loans up to $500,000 for repairs or reconstruction of their primary residences. Additionally, loans up to $100,000 are available for personal property damage such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Businesses and nonprofits may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged property including real estate, inventory, and equipment.
Applications can be submitted online via the MySBA Loan Portal at https://lending.sba.gov or at designated local locations. For further assistance, individuals can contact the SBA’s Customer Service Center via email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or phone at 1-800-659-2955. Telecommunications relay services are available by dialing 7-1-1.
Since July 5th, the State Emergency Response Team has been coordinating with local officials to provide necessary information and resources. A State of Emergency was declared on July 16th by Governor Stein to facilitate recovery efforts at both state and federal levels. Ongoing assessments with federal partners will determine eligibility for additional recovery resources as needed.
Residents needing debris cleanup can reach out to Crisis Cleanup at 910-218-1569 until August 1st. This service connects residents with volunteers from local relief organizations who assist with tasks such as mucking out homes and removing downed trees.
