Shapiro Administration requests SBA help for flood survivors. How residents can get money

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration has requested the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) make financial aid available to individuals, families and businesses affected by the May 13 flooding in Somerset County.

“The flooding in southwestern Pennsylvania has been devastating, and the Shapiro Administration has been on the ground providing support every day since the storm struck,” said Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Randy Padfield. “The Shapiro Administration remains committed to helping Pennsylvanians recover and rebuild stronger than before, which is why we are working to secure federal low-interest loans as a tool to ensure homeowners and business owners have the support they need and can recoup unforeseen losses.”

On May 13, heavy downpours caused flash flooding in the Meyersdale, Garrett and Salisbury areas of Somerset County. Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Chief Mike Miller said the water level of the Casselman River reached a little over 15 feet, which is 4 feet over flood stage.

Residents in the low-lying areas have been cleaning up ever since. Many houses in Garrett received from 5 to 6 feet of water in their basements and on the first floor of their homes. The ballfield and playground in Garrett were ruined by the flood waters of the Casselman River and Buffalo Creek.

According to a press release, the Red Cross assisted more than 80 people affected by flooding.

A badly damaged bridge along Route 219 in Boynton has been closed while PennDOT installs a temporary bridge until a new permanent span can be built. Traffic has been rerouted through the back roads of Elk Lick and Summit Township.

SBA’s disaster loans

The SBA’s Disaster Loan program provides low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, private nonprofits, and businesses located in a disaster-declared area who sustained damages from flooding. The SBA can provide up to $500,000 for homeowners to replace or repair their primary residences and up to $100,000 for homeowners and renters to replace or repair personal property.

Businesses and most private nonprofits may be eligible for up to $2 million to cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance. Additionally, small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations located in a declared disaster area that have suffered substantial economic injury may be eligible for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) if the disaster request is approved.

Homeowners, renters, private nonprofits, and businesses are encouraged to report damages to their local emergency management agency as soon as possible.

CFA and commissioners connect

The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies (CFA) partnered with Somerset County commissioners to establish the Somerset County Disaster Recovery, which will become a permanent fund in support of future natural disasters and other crises in Somerset County. The fund is now accepting donations, which will be disbursed immediately to nonprofits that are assisting Somerset County residents with the flooding response and recovery.

The commissioners, on May 20, approved contributing $10,000 as a match to the $10,000 already established by the CFA. They also voted to appoint a six-member committee to determine the distribution of the funds when necessary.

Donations can be made online at cfalleghenies.org/fund/somerset-county-recovery. To donate by check, make it payable to the Somerset County Disaster Recovery Fund, and mail it to 216 Franklin St., Suite 400, Johnstown, PA 15901.

MARC program

A Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) for those affected by the flooding in Somerset County will be held in Meyersdale from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 22 through 24 in the upstairs of the Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department, 202 Main St., Meyersdale.

Representatives from more than a dozen state, local, county and regional agencies will allow residents to access disaster-related relief services and information to aid in the recovery process. Some of the resources provided by organizations staffing the MARC include information on replacing vital documents such as birth certificates and driver’s licenses, checking insurance coverage for damages, trauma/crisis response and mental health resources, benefits and disabilities support, tax assistance, how to avoid scams, and other recovery information and resources available.

“The aftermath of this flooding is significant and its impact will be felt for years to come,” said Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield. “Providing services from multiple state and local agencies in one spot will make recovery easier for those who need assistance at this crucial time.”

Multiple Somerset County, Pennsylvania agencies and offices will be available to provide local services. Pennsylvania state agencies scheduled to participate or provide information include:

• PA Department of Aging
• PA Department of Agriculture
• PA Department of Environmental Protection
• PA Department of Health
• PA Department of Human Services
• PA Department of Transportation
• PA Insurance Department
• PA Office of Attorney General
• PA Emergency Management Agency

“Key county agencies will be on hand to provide our residents with access to needed programs and services during this critical period of recovery. We are pleased to work in partnership with the Commonwealth to ensure they receive all of the help they need,” said Brian Fochtman, chairman of the Somerset County Board of Commissioners.

The Shapiro Administration had staff on the ground as soon as the storm began. Last week, Director Padfield and PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll personally visited Somerset County to view the damage and meet directly with local officials to offer state support. PennDOT is acting quickly to restore traffic flow on the flood-damaged U.S. 209 (Mason-Dixon Highway) bridge over Piney Creek in the village of Boynton. An average of 4,700 vehicles cross the 80-foot, two-span bridge each day.

Reporting by Madolin Edwards, The Daily American / The Daily American