Disaster Relief Efforts Underway in Oklahoma

Strategic Insights -

FEMA's Disaster Loan Outreach Center will open in Chickasha, OK, on June 20, providing one-stop assistance to individuals affected by the May 22-25 storms, tornadoes, and flooding. The center will be located at 1401 Michigan Avenue, Chickasha, OK 73018, and will operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, until June 30.

The Oklahomans affected by the severe weather have several avenues for assistance, including low-interest, federal disaster loans from the SBA. As of now, 655 households have registered for disaster assistance, with 124 in Grady County alone. Total disaster grants approved have reached $1.7 million statewide, with more than $377,000 going to households in Grady County.

Key Takeaways:

  • The SBA will offer low-interest, federal disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profits for uncompensated losses.
  • Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence.
  • Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
  • Businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
  • The SBA can lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent, or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) assistance is available to small businesses and most private non-profits of any size to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.
  • Other counties designated for Individual Assistance include Canadian, Delaware, Kingfisher, Logan, and McClain.
  • Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for rent and home repairs, replace personal property, and reimburse medical, storage, and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance.

Statistics:

  • 655 households have registered for disaster assistance in Oklahoma as of the present moment.
  • 124 households in Grady County have registered for disaster assistance.
  • Disaster grants approved to date top $1.7 million statewide.
  • $377,000 of disaster grants have gone to households in Grady County.
  • Oklahomans affected by the severe storms will have access to low-interest, federal disaster loans from the SBA.

Sources:

  • FEMA's Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Chickasha, OK.
  • The Canadian Valley Tech Center, 1401 Michigan Avenue, Chickasha, OK 73018.
  • Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM).
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
  • SBA's Disaster Relief Program.
  • FEMA's official website: http://www.fema.gov/