FEMA, SBA outline disaster assistance and loan terms for Pike County flood survivors

FEMA and the Small Business Administration briefed Pike County Fiscal Court members on March 17 about how residents and local businesses can apply for federal disaster aid following the February flooding and what to expect from loans and grants.

The briefing explained the two primary federal relief paths: FEMA individual assistance grants for households and SBA disaster loans for long-term recovery. Zach Myers, FEMA intergovernmental affairs specialist, said “All individuals are encouraged to apply.” Jim Herso, identified in the meeting as a public affairs specialist with the Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Recovery, reviewed SBA loan types, interest rates and timelines.

Why this matters: County officials said much of eastern Kentucky’s recovery will depend on correct applications and documentation because federal reimbursement and loan offers hinge on formal procedures. Officials urged residents to apply promptly and to appeal denials rather than accept initial determinations.

Myers described FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) and encouraged anyone affected to register through one of four methods — online at disasterassistance.gov, the FEMA app, the toll-free hotline, or at a disaster recovery center (DRC). He said FEMA’s individual assistance can include immediate needs assistance ($750), a separate $350 cleaning/sanitizing allowance, and a higher assistance claim that “can be made for up to $43,600.”

Herso said SBA offers two primary products: physical-damage loans for repairs to structures and contents, and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to cover working-capital losses. He summarized published terms on the fact sheet for this declaration: interest rates “as low as 4%” on business physical-damage loans, a cap of $2,000,000 for physical-damage loans, and a first-year deferred-payment period. Herso added SBA’s operational target is to disburse up to $25,000 within five days of document signing and that the first repayment typically begins in month 13 after disbursement.

Both agencies addressed questions that have circulated in the region. Myers said FEMA had not yet put out incident-specific language on some categories at the start of the meeting but later confirmed that private bridges and private roadways are covered under the current declaration and that culverts may also be covered; he said the court would receive the policy language. Myers also emphasized that appeals are a routine and important part of the process: many initial denials are attributable to missing documents or errors in applicants’ paperwork and can be resolved if applicants supply the needed documentation at a DRC or online.

Officials and agency staff gave counts and processing details during the briefing. Herso said SBA had issued 12 disbursements across the entire declaration to date; 18 loans had been offered and 11 of those offers were for applicants in Pike County (of the loans he discussed, four were home loans and one was a business loan). Myers said FEMA has paid “just over $18,100,000” to residents of the Commonwealth so far and that about 3,000 people statewide had received payments as of his update; he said those totals were increasing daily.

Agency staff listed local access points and hours: two primary DRCs in Pike County (the Belfry Library and the site near Tractor Supply) plus mobile registration sites (the Marlborough Fire Department and Longfork Park in Virgie on specified dates). Myers summarized the application deadline information that had been published for these programs: SBA’s loan application deadline for the declaration is April 25; the FEMA registration deadline was described as mid-April at the time of the meeting but Myers said the application window can remain open longer for appeals and additional documentation.

Officials urged residents to apply even if they have insurance, and to follow up with appeals when necessary. Herso noted SBA loans are “above and beyond any other sources of help that they get,” and that mitigation funding (up to 20% of approved repair costs) may be available later if property owners take approved steps to reduce future flood risk. Myers cautioned that some FEMA awards can require flood insurance for a specified period; both agencies said they would provide or clarify written guidance to the court and to the public.

The agencies also reminded residents that paperwork and documentation matter: applicants should keep letters about denials, deeds, identification and photos of damage because adding missing documents can change an outcome on appeal.

County officials thanked agency staff and encouraged residents who need help to visit the DRCs or call the published hotlines rather than rely on social media. The court said it would share the agencies’ contact information and fact sheets through county channels.

County next steps noted at the meeting included distributing agency fact sheets, posting DRC hours publicly, and ensuring county staff and recovery partners help residents gather documentation for appeals if needed.