Whatcom County residents needing assistance after the devastating floods in November are being asked to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said in a news release Monday that anyone seeking help should submit a loan application as soon as possible. The filing deadline for applications for property damage is March 7.
Also, a recovery center is located at Everson Mercantile Building, 128 West Main Street, in Everson from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The relief funds are also available to those in the Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe and the Quileute Nation as well as residents in Clallam and Skagit counties.
The Small Business Administration offers long-term, low-interest disaster loans to businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.
The mid-November disaster caused by the overflow of the Nooksack River resulted in an estimated $50 million in losses and damage to 85% of the homes in Sumas along the U.S.-Canadian border.
Federal officials said homeowners are eligible for up to $200,000 in a disaster loan for structural repairs or rebuilding. Victims also can apply for up to $40,000 to replace personal property such as automobiles and appliances that were damaged or destroyed in the flood, according to the news release.
Businesses and nonprofit groups can borrow up to $2 million for physical losses and working capital needs, such as repairing real property, machinery and equipment.
Officials encourage flood victims to not wait for an insurance settlement before submitting a loan application.
Those who cannot secure a loan from the Small Business Administration could get other benefits from FEMA, the release said.
Also, economic injury disaster loans are available to small businesses and most nonprofit organizations. The deadline to file for those benefits is Oct. 5.
Those in need can apply online at diasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela. To get a paper application call the Small Business Administration at 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
