PRESS RELEASE: Gov. Fallin Seeks SBA Disaster Assistance for Cherokee County

office of the governor - state of oklahoma

OFFICE OF GOVERNOR MARY FALLIN

 

MEDIA CONTACT:
Michael McNutt, Communications Director
Michael.McNutt@gov.ok.gov
(405) 522-8878

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2018

Governor Mary Fallin Seeks SBA Disaster Assistance for Cherokee County

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin, in partnership with the Cherokee Nation and Cherokee County, today requested a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration to assist those impacted by tornadoes, severe storms, and straight-line winds that occurred Nov. 30.

If approved, the governor’s request would bring SBA low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, and business owners in Cherokee County to repair or replace any property damaged by the storm that was not covered by insurance. The loan program would also be available to assist businesses that sustained economic losses due to the storm.

Under SBA rules, counties contiguous to Cherokee County would also be eligible for assistance, including Adair, Delaware, and Sequoyah counties, where additional tornado damage was reported.

Damage assessments found more than 90 homes and businesses affected by the storm in Cherokee County. Of those, 58 homes and businesses with major damage were identified as uninsured and may be eligible for SBA’s program.

The National Weather Service in Tulsa reported the Webbers Falls and Lake Tenkiller tornadoes were on the ground for more than an hour and traveled a combined 54 miles from Muskogee County to Delaware County. At least 119 homes and businesses were affected by the storm across the five-county area.

 

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