FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have collaborated to create a guide to help local businesses affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton access recovery resources.

The agencies created a one-stop-shop resource with information about multiple federal support that is available to assist local businesses with their recovery. The guide—tailored for each affected state—is available on FEMA’s website at the links below:

• Florida
• Georgia
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Virginia 

Many local business owners are also disaster survivors. This means they’re dealing with two separate recoveries, one for their household and another for their business. Recovery for local businesses after events like Helene and Milton may seem daunting. FEMA encourages chambers of commerce and other civic organizations to share this guide to help local businesses recover.

“Many business owners are disaster survivors themselves and dealing with two recoveries can feel overwhelming,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell who is leading the federal response to Helene and Milton. “Local businesses are employers and economic drivers and the faster businesses recover, the faster a community can recover. This new guide has multiple recovery resources to help businesses and communities recover from Helene and Milton. We encourage people to use this critical resource.”

 

“USDA’s job is to try to keep farms viable and operational, to help rural communities remain resilient, and at the end of the day to get as much help as quickly as possible to as many people as possible,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Staff from USDA offices across the country are pitching in to help farmers impacted by these hurricanes access our disaster assistance tools and file necessary claims, and we will continue to support them through the recovery process for as long as needed.” 

 

"As communities across the Southeast continue to recover and rebuild after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the SBA remains focused on its mission to provide support to small businesses to help stabilize local economies, even in the face of diminished disaster funding," said Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. "If your business has sustained physical damage, or you’ve lost inventory, equipment or revenues, the SBA will help you navigate the resources available and work with you at our recovery centers or with our customer service specialists in person and online so you can fully submit your disaster loan application and be ready to receive financial relief as soon as funds are replenished."

Below are examples of the resources available to local businesses and their owners:

• FEMA grants to make home repairs.
• Low interest disaster loans from the SBA to repair homes and businesses. Business owners may also qualify for loans for economic injury.
• Disaster Recovery Centers where business owners and survivors can meet representatives from various federal agencies who may be able to help. Centers are open in every state affected by Helene and Milton.
• SBA Business Physical Disaster Loans. The SBA provides long-term low interest loans up to $2 million to cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance.  
• SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans. The SBA provides long-term low interest loans up to $2 million for working capital to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private nonprofit organizations impacted by a disaster meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations until normal operations resume.  
• Livestock indemnity. The USDA provides benefits to livestock owners and contract growers for livestock deaths. 
• Emergency loans. The USDA provides loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses.

A full list of more than 70 resources from 17 federal agencies is available on disasterassistance.gov.

On Oct. 21, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced that the agency will create a brand-new program and will hire Community Liaisons to assist impacted communities with their recovery and rebuilding efforts.

These dedicated Community Liaisons will interface between the people of North Carolina and FEMA to ensure their needs are met and serve as trusted messengers for the community. Administrator Deanne Criswell joined North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper to provide an update on recovery efforts as the federal government continues to work alongside its state and local partners to ensure that survivors receive the resources they need to jumpstart their recovery.

For more information about this position and to apply, please visit USAJOBS - Job Announcement. 

FEMA assistance is designed to help you meet the variety of needs you might have in the aftermath. If you qualify for FEMA assistance, you may first receive money for essential items like infant formula, medical supplies and more. Your application will also be assessed to determine if you qualify for other forms of assistance. Even if you’re unsure of what FEMA will cover, take as many photos as possible of the damages to your house and property, and take time to apply for assistance. 

Visit FEMA.gov to learn about ten items you might qualify for after a disaster.