Washington County residents who spent the late summer bailing out basements now have a new financial lifeline. A low-interest disaster loan program has been approved for six Southwestern Pennsylvania counties, and seven Washington County communities are on the eligibility list. Homeowners can borrow up to $500,000 to repair or replace their primary residences.
The Small Business Administration authorized the loans, and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency secured the federal funding, according to the Observer-Reporter. Eligible counties include Allegheny, Beaver, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland. In Washington County, residents of Canton, Donegal, East Washington, North Strabane, South Strabane, Union Township and the city of Washington may apply.
What the Loans Cover, and What They Cost You in Time
Beyond the $500,000 homeowner cap, homeowners and renters may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, the Observer-Reporter reports. Businesses and most private nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million for disaster losses not fully covered by insurance. The SBA determines repayment terms case by case, and eligible applicants may receive terms up to 30 years.
Select small businesses and nonprofits in the declared disaster area may also qualify for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan if they suffered substantial economic injury. The U.S. Small Business Administration says those loans are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. Applicants for the standard loans must apply by Dec. 22, while the EIDL deadline stretches to July 23, 2027.
How to Apply and Where to Get Help
The SBA will open a disaster loan outreach center in South Strabane Township at noon on Wednesday, and it will close at 5 p.m. on Nov. 10. Applicants can also call the SBA customer service center at 1-800-659-2955, and callers who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability should dial 7-1-1 for relay services. Those seeking information by email can write to [email protected] and reference Pennsylvania disaster number PA-20046.
The Shapiro administration will also activate the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Assistance Program through PEMA on Wednesday, per the Observer-Reporter. That program offers grant support to eligible individuals and families affected by the flash floods, with details at pa.gov/ready/drap. The state agency has also encouraged people affected by the Sept. 2-3 storms to check that site, noting on the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency newsroom that they should see if they qualify for DRAP grants.
Local Officials React to the Approval
The approval follows weeks of damage reporting. Municipalities had to meet a threshold of reported flood damages to qualify for certain PEMA relief, and Washington County earlier held a two-day recovery resource event with the agency. As the Observer-Reporter noted in September, hundreds of county residents had reported losses since four flash floods roiled the area throughout August and September.
Canton Township manager Stephanie Pettit said the loan program would help township residents dramatically, the Observer-Reporter reports. South Strabane manager Peter Stefansky said the loans would benefit businesses and homeowners in his township. Washington Mayor JoJo Burgess said he was pleased the city got the requested help, while city officials are still reviewing the program specifics.
One notable absence stands out from the eligibility list. Houston and Canonsburg, municipalities hit hard by flooding, did not qualify for the loan program, per the Observer-Reporter.
