Disaster assistance available for Georgia counties affected by severe storms

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Businesses and residents affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding on April 2, 2024, in Dekalb, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Rockdale, and Walton Counties can now apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) to assist Georgians in the declared counties applying for SBA disaster loan assistance at noon on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency.

Georgia received the SBA declaration for Rockdale County and the five (5) contiguous counties in response to a request made by Governor Brian Kemp’s authorized representative and the Deputy Director of Recovery at the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS), Valarie Grooms. All counties included in the SBA declaration are eligible to apply for Physical Damage disaster loans (homes and businesses) and Economic Injury disaster loans (businesses).

Disaster assistance is essential for saving lives, supporting recovery, and building more resilient communities in the face of natural or man-made disasters. It plays a crucial role in helping communities and individuals recover from the devastating effects of natural or man-made disasters. Here's why it's important:

1. Humanitarian Aid: Disaster assistance provides essential support such as food, water, shelter, and medical care to people who have been affected by disasters. This aid is often life-saving, especially in the immediate aftermath of a disaster when access to basic necessities is disrupted.

2. Reconstruction and Recovery: Disasters can cause extensive damage to infrastructure, homes, businesses, and public services. Disaster assistance helps communities rebuild and recover by providing funds for rebuilding efforts, repairing infrastructure, and restoring essential services like electricity, water, and transportation.

3. Economic Stability: Disasters can have severe economic consequences, including job losses, business closures, and reduced productivity. Disaster assistance helps stabilize local economies by providing financial support to affected businesses, individuals, and communities, which can help jumpstart economic recovery and prevent long-term economic decline.

4. Psychological Support: Disasters can have profound psychological impacts on survivors, including trauma, grief, anxiety, and depression. Disaster assistance programs often include mental health services and counseling to help survivors cope with the emotional toll of the disaster and rebuild their resilience.

5. Community Resilience: By providing resources and support to help communities recover from disasters, disaster assistance helps strengthen their resilience to future disasters. Investing in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery measures can help communities better withstand and recover from future disasters, ultimately saving lives and reducing the overall impact of disasters.

Ready to Rebuild and Recover?

If your business has been affected by a natural disaster, you don't have to face the path to recovery alone. Explore how an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) can be the lifeline your business needs. Don't let setbacks define your journey. Visit MyEIDL.com today to apply and check your eligibility for an EIDL Loan. Secure your business's future now—because resilience is the cornerstone of success.