Federal Assistance Announced for Weather-Affected Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties

Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Tuesday, November 26th, that residents and businesses in Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties, affected by severe weather from August 8-10, 2024, are now eligible for federal disaster assistance. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will provide low-interest loans to help homeowners, renters, and businesses recover from significant property damage caused by the storms.

“Our Administration has worked hard to ensure that the communities impacted by extreme weather in August of this year have access to every available resource they need to rebuild and recover,” Governor Hochul stated. She emphasized the growing frequency of extreme weather events in New York and expressed gratitude to the Biden-Harris Administration for their support. The SBA loans will provide up to $2 million for businesses, $100,000 for renters to replace personal property, and $500,000 for homeowners to restore their homes.

The announcement follows extensive collaboration between the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES), county officials, and federal agencies. Commissioner Jackie Bray highlighted the significance of this funding, saying, “This funding will help those impacted by severe weather recover from losses and damages caused by the storm. Governor Hochul and our federal partners worked diligently to help get the funding these communities deserve to rebuild.”

The assistance aims to address the financial challenges faced by residents and business owners in the declared counties. Eligible individuals can apply for SBA loans to repair or replace damaged property. Applications for physical property damage must be submitted by January 24, 2025, while the deadline for economic injury applications is August 25, 2025.

To further support affected individuals, SBA’s Customer Service Center is available to assist applicants. In-person application locations will be announced in the coming days. Governor Hochul reiterated the state’s commitment to ensuring timely recovery for all impacted New Yorkers.

This initiative underscores the importance of state-federal partnerships in addressing the consequences of natural disasters. As Hochul remarked, “Resiliency is part of our DNA as New Yorkers,” and this funding reflects the ongoing efforts to support recovery and build stronger, more prepared communities.