Help is going to be made available to homeowners, renters, and businesses in a dozen southeast Missouri counties hit hard by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that blasted the region on September 22nd. Those suffering damages are now eligible to apply for low-interest Disaster Assistance Loans from the Small Business Administration. Susie Stonner with the State Emergency Management Agency says the state turned to the SBA when FEMA – the Federal Emergency Management Agency – rejected Missouri’s request for aid. Homeowners are eligible for loans up to $200,000 to replace or repair damaged real estate. Homeowners or renters can apply for disaster loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses can apply for SBA loans up to $1.5-Million. All those applying must do so by mid-February. The eligible counties are New Madrid, Perry, Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Madison, Mississippi, Pemiscot, Scott, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, and Stoddard.
