More than a month after a deadly tornado roared through the southern part of Marion County, the U.S. Small Business Administration on Friday declared a disaster area, opening up assistance for businesses and residents.
It’s separate from a FEMA disaster declaration, which had not been issued as of press deadlines. That would come from the president and provide help for the county cleaning up rights-of-way and other things.
Through the SBA program, businesses and private non-profits can borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate, equipment or other assets. Also homeowners can borrow up to $200,000 for real estate and $40,000 for personal property.
Applicants can apply online by visiting disasterloanassistance.sba.gov.
The tornado struck on April 19 in Sandy Hook, Hub and Pine Burr. The storm killed one person and damaged at least 120 homes, destroying 20. The Southwest Marion Volunteer Fire Department station on Hurricane Creek Road was also leveled, and some 40,000 yards of debris was piled on the county’s rights-of-way after the storm did an estimated $1.4 million in timber damage.
The Marion County Board of Supervisors had declared a local emergency on April 24.
It took 33 days to get the SBA disaster declaration for Marion County. That was much longer than the nine days it took to get a disaster declaration following the April 12 tornados that struck adjacent counties north of Marion.
Gov. Tate Reeves said in a news release that he sent a letter to Administrator Jovita Carranza of the U.S. Small Business Administration requesting a disaster declaration to make low-interest disaster loans available here.
“Mississippians are strong and resilient. But they are already struggling under the weight of this pandemic. We are grateful that SBA approved our request so we can help carry some of the burden that our people are dealing with after these disastrous storms,” Reeves said.
The declaration covers Marion County and the adjacent counties of Jeff Davis, Lamar, Lawrence, Pearl River and Walthall.
Storm victims can also call a “Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center” at (404) 331-0333 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and use extensions 2122 and 2106 for residents and 2123 for businesses. Residents can also email FOCE-Help@sba.gov.
