Disaster Assistance
SBA and FEMA Disaster Assistance for the August 2026 Storms
Homeowners, renters, businesses, and private nonprofits in St. Albans can apply for federal disaster assistance after the severe storms and flooding of August 14 through 18, 2026. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans, and FEMA Individual Assistance is approved for Kanawha County residents.
Application Deadlines
- Physical damage loans: December 7, 2026
- Economic injury loans: July 7, 2027
Who Can Apply
- Homeowners: up to $500,000 to repair or replace a primary home
- Homeowners and renters: up to $100,000 to replace personal property, including vehicles
- Businesses of any size and private nonprofits: up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged property
- Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private nonprofits: Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) up to $2 million for working capital
The $2 million business limit applies to physical and economic injury loans combined. Only uninsured or otherwise uncompensated losses qualify.
Interest Rates and Loan Terms
- Home loans: 3.000% (6.000% if credit is available elsewhere)
- Business loans: 4.000% (8.000% if credit is available elsewhere)
- Private nonprofits: 3.625%
- Economic injury loans: 4.000% for businesses and small agricultural cooperatives, 3.625% for nonprofits
Rates are fixed. Terms run up to 30 years. Businesses with credit available elsewhere are limited to 7 years. No payments are due and no interest accrues for the first year. You do not need to wait for your insurance claim to settle before you apply.
What You Need to Apply
- Government ID (and business EIN for businesses)
- Recent federal income tax return
- Contact information for you and any other applicants
- Income and monthly expenses
- Insurance coverage and claim details, if available
How to Apply for an SBA Disaster Loan
- Apply online at the MySBA Loan Portal: lending.sba.gov
- Call the SBA Customer Service Center: 1-800-659-2955
- Email: [email protected]
- National Support Network Center: (866) SBA-HELP
- Deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disability: dial 7-1-1
- More information: sba.gov/disaster
How to Apply for FEMA Assistance
- Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- Use the FEMA mobile app
- Call the FEMA Helpline: 800-621-3362
SBA loans and FEMA assistance are separate programs that work together. You can apply for both. You can apply for an SBA loan before, during, or after you receive FEMA assistance. You do not have to apply for an SBA loan to receive FEMA Other Needs Assistance, such as transportation, personal property replacement, and miscellaneous expenses.
Download SBA Fact Sheets
Frequently Asked Questions
Homeowners, renters, businesses, and private nonprofits located in Kanawha, Fayette, or Harrison County qualify for all SBA disaster loan types. Businesses and nonprofits in 17 contiguous counties, including Boone, Clay, Jackson, Lincoln, and Putnam, qualify for economic injury loans only.
The deadline for physical damage loans is December 7, 2026. The deadline for economic injury loans is July 7, 2027.
Yes. Renters may receive up to $100,000 to repair or replace personal property, including vehicles.
No. You can start your SBA application before your insurance settles. Only uninsured or otherwise uncompensated losses qualify.
Yes. The programs are separate and designed to work together. You can apply for an SBA loan before, during, or after you receive FEMA assistance.
No. Secondary homes, personal pleasure boats, airplanes, and recreational vehicles are not eligible unless they are used for business.
Call the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or email [email protected]. For FEMA questions, call 800-621-3362.
Information on this page comes from the U.S. Small Business Administration and FEMA. SBA and FEMA determine eligibility, loan amounts, and terms.