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Officials outline hurricane Helene response and federal disaster assistance options
Summary
County staff summarized hurricane Helene impacts and recovery steps, including a planned disaster recovery center; an SBA representative described low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits and offered local follow-up.
County administrator Ms. Hill updated the board on Hurricane Helene impacts and the countys multiagency response, noting that while the community overall was not as severely affected as neighboring places, some residents suffered significant damage.
Ms. Hill thanked county staff, sheriff's office, PIO and GIS teams, VDEM and FEMA for response efforts and said a disaster recovery center will be established at the government center to coordinate FEMA, small-business assistance and other services. She said legislators helped secure assistance and staff would share details with the public as logistics are finalized.
Anna Nunez of the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience told the board that three types of disaster loans are availablebusiness physical disaster loans, economic injury disaster loans and home disaster loans for homeowners and renters. Nunez emphasized low-interest, fixed-rate loan terms, no fee to apply and that survivors may request mitigation assistance within two years of loan approval.
Nunez said she is based in Roanoke, will work with surrounding counties, will provide outreach materials to the county and urged residents to visit sba.gov/disaster or call the SBA for assistance. The board thanked federal and local responders and staff for coordinated response efforts.
