Gov. Shapiro Requests Federal Small Business Administration Disaster Aid For Flood Survivors In Somerset County

On May 21,  Gov. Shapiro announced his Administration has made a request to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to make financial aid available to individuals, families, and businesses affected by the May 13, 2025, flooding in Somerset County.

[The PA Emergency Management Agency also announced a Multi-Agency Resource Center will be open May 22 in Meyersdale, Somerset County to assist assist individuals, families and businesses that sustained losses from significant flooding May 13 & 14.  Read more here.]

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.

“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," said PEMA Director Randy Padfield                                    

The SBA’s Disaster Loan program(opens in a new tab) provides low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, private non-profits, 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.

Previous Federal Support

The Shapiro Administration has secured support from the SBA after several weather disasters over the last few years, including flooding in Northampton County, Northeastern Pennsylvania, and Southwest Pennsylvania and following Tropical Storm Debby last August. 

The Shapiro Administration also secured access to SBA financial assistance following the R.M. Palmer Factory natural gas explosion that occurred in March 2023, a devastating fire that destroyed several small businesses in Monroe County in June 2023, and an apartment complex fire in Philadelphia in July 2024. 

This financial assistance from the SBA is a crucial lifeline to help Pennsylvanians, especially small businesses, recover from unexpected losses following a disaster.

Click Here for the PEMA announcement.

Related Articles This Week:

-- PEMA: Multi-Agency Resource Center Opens May 22 For Flood Survivors In Somerset County  [PaEN]  

-- Gov. Shapiro Requests Federal Small Business Administration Disaster Aid For Flood Survivors In Somerset County [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Tribune-Democrat: Flood Relief Resource Center Planned In Meyersdale 

-- Tribune-Democrat: Somerset County Commissioners Outline Disaster Recovery Fund Plan, Make $10,000  Donation 

-- TribLive: Duquesne Light, West Penn Power Officials Grilled At Hearing Over Days-Long Power Outages 

-- AP: FEMA’s Acting Chief Says Agency Will Shift More Disaster Recovery Responsibilities To States; Disaster Aid To Be Reduced 

-- NYT: President’s Efforts To Downsize Threaten Essential Functions Americans Rely On Before, During And After Natural Disasters

-- Bloomberg Guest Essay: We’ve Seen FEMA Unprepared Before, It Didn’t End Well - By Mark Gongloff

[Posted: May 21, 2025]  PA Environment Digest