Countywide : U.S. Loans Available for Storm Victims

Residents and businesses in Orange County and 51 other California counties are eligible for thousands of dollars in long-term, low-interest federal disaster loans for damage caused by the latest round of storms.

Few applications have been received for the second round of loans, according to federal officials, but as much as $40 million is expected to be loaned statewide.

Homeowners can receive loans up to $200,000 for homes and other property damaged in the rains, and all residents could be lent up to $40,000 for damaged personal property, officials said.

They said that small-business owners also could receive up to $1.5 million for property, equipment or inventory damages. Owners may be eligible for additional funds to help offset economic losses caused by the storms.

The government already has issued more than $40 million in loans because of the record-setting rains in January, said Julie Moreno-Laskin, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Small Business Administration, which acts as the government’s lender.

Of those, $2.8 million went to Orange County businesses and residents, Moreno-Laskin said.

The loans will be administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but the money will come from the SBA, Moreno-Laskin said.

SBA inspectors will verify claims, and the Internal Revenue Service will check applicants’ financial statements.

The SBA will hold workshops to help people apply for the loans at 18600 Main St., Suite 135, in Huntington Beach. Other sites are expected to open throughout Orange County in coming weeks. For more information, call (800) 488-5323.

Those interested in applying by phone should call FEMA at (800) 462-9029 or (800) 462-7585.