Somerset, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield, and Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger visited Dub’s Bar in Garrett and Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department to meet with Somerset County leaders and first responders after devastating flooding on May 13. Governor Shapiro met with small business owners impacted by the flooding, thanked first responders and visited the community flood assistance center at the Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department, and pledged the Shapiro Administration’s full support as the community recovers from the damage.
Last week, Governor Shapiro announced financial aid for people impacted by the flooding, including low-interest loans from the federal government and the Commonwealth’s Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) grants for eligible Pennsylvanians.
The Shapiro Administration also supported a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) in partnership with Somerset County over the weekend, including:
- PA Department of Aging
- PA Department of Agriculture
- PA Department of Environmental Protection
- PA Department of Health
- PA Department of Human Services
- PA Department of Transportation
- PA Insurance Department
- PA Office of Attorney General
- PA Emergency Management Agency
Some of the resources provided included information on replacing vital documents such as birth certificates and driver’s licenses, checking insurance coverage for damages, trauma/crisis response and mental health resources, benefits and disabilities support, tax assistance, how to avoid scams, and other recovery information and resources available.
“Today, Director Padfield, Secretary Siger, and I visited Meyersdale and Garrett in Somerset County to ensure Pennsylvanians have the resources they need to recover from this devastating flooding,” said Governor Shapiro. “I want to thank the first responders, Pennsylvania State Police, and members of local law enforcement who helped get people to safety during the storm. With our federal and county partners, we have set up a community resource center at the local fire department and we are going to continue to work together to provide Pennsylvanians the support they need — we’ll have Pennsylvanians’ backs in this community as long as it takes to recover from this storm.”
Two weeks ago, Director Padfield and Secretary Carroll visited Somerset County to view the damage and evaluate repairs needed to crucial state roadways. PennDOT is acting quickly to restore traffic flow on the flood-damaged U.S. 219 (Mason-Dixon Highway) bridge over Piney Creek in the village of Boynton. An average of 4,700 vehicles cross the 80-foot, two-span bridge each day.
Starting today, both state and federal financial aid is available for eligible Pennsylvanians impacted by the flooding.
“PEMA has been on the ground supporting Somerset County since the storm hit, and we’ll continue to support flood survivors through the recovery process,” said Director Padfield. “That’s why we have personnel here in Somerset County to assist eligible survivors with DRAP grant applications, and personnel in Harrisburg working to get those applications approved swiftly to deliver aid to those most in need.”
The Commonwealth DRAP grants are designed for homeowners and renters who meet lower income thresholds, are uninsured or underinsured, or have not received other local, state, federal, non-governmental, or private aid. For those who qualify, DRAP grants up to $20,000 can be used to repair their home, cover temporary housing and rental expenses, or replace essential personal property. Those impacted by the May 13, 2025, flooding are encouraged to visit the PEMA website to see if they qualify for DRAP grants. The deadline to submit DRAP grants is August 25, 2025.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has granted the Governor’s request to make federal financial aid available to individuals, families, and small businesses affected by the flooding on May 13, 2025, in Somerset County and the contiguous counties of Bedford, Cambria, Fayette and Westmoreland. The SBA Disaster Loan program provides low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, private non-profits, and businesses located in disaster declared counties 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 non-profits may apply for up to $2 million to cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance.
Additionally, small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations located in the declared disaster area that have suffered substantial economic injury may be eligible for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).
The deadline to return SBA disaster loan applications for physical damages is July 21, 2025. The deadline to return SBA economic injury disaster loan (EIDL) applications is February 23, 2026.
The SBA offers long-term repayment options to keep payments affordable, with terms up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay. View details about the SBA’s disaster declaration for the May 13, 2025, flooding here.
Applicants may immediately obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov and referencing Pennsylvania Disaster Number PA-20019.
The SBA has opened a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) in Somerset County, starting Monday, May 26, to provide in-person assistance for those wishing to apply. PEMA will also be available at the DLOC starting today to assist with DRAP grant applications. Visiting the DLOC is not required to obtain assistance from either program.
DLOC Location:
Meyersdale Volunteer Fire Department
202 Main Street
Meyersdale, PA 15552
DLOC Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM
Saturday from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM
Sunday the DLOC is closed.
The DLOC will permanently close on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 4:00 PM.
Note: The DLOC is being held at the same location where the Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) was held from May 22-24; however, the services provided at the DLOC are in support of loan and grant assistance programs only.
Alternatively, SBA disaster loan applications can be downloaded at sba.gov/disaster and completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
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