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Relief Available to People Impacted by Flood
- Updated: July 20, 2018
A business on FM 506 between La Feria and Santa Rosa impacted by last month’s rains. Photo: Tony Vindell/LFN
by Tony Vindell/LFN
Anyone impacted by flood waters caused by the June downpours can now seek relief under the federal government declaration of a disaster area for Cameron and Hidalgo counties.
And a business recovery center of the U.S. Small Business Administration has opened at 510 S. Pleasantview Dr. in Weslaco.
Under the disaster declaration, home and business owners and even renters are eligible to seek loan assistance.
Corey Williams, a spokesman with the SBA office for disaster assistance, said people affected by the June rains must contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency so they can be added to a register.
To do that, they have three choices:
Call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362; go online to FEMA.gov; or go to FEMA Mobile App.
Williams said every application will be reviewed on a one-to-one basis.
Once reviewed, the agency will send inspectors to check out the affected properties.
Williams recommends that residents check the inspectors badge as there could be opportunists trying to take over the situation.
A loan will depend on the amount of damages a home or business sustained.
According to a SBA news release, disaster loans up to $200,000 will be available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.
Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to replace or repair damaged or destroyed personal property. For a renter, a damaged or destroyed vehicle qualifies.
The terms of loans range anywhere from 1.938 percent for renters or homeowners to 2.5 percent for non-profit organizations and 3.61 percent for businesses – all with terms of up to 30 years.
