Harrisburg, PA – Governor Josh Shapiro announced today that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved his recent request to make 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. Additionally, the Shapiro Administration has activated the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) for eligible homeowners and renters through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA).
In addition to the state and federal financial aid programs, starting today, the Shapiro Administration is supporting a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) to assist individuals, families and businesses that sustained losses from the flooding. Some of the resources provided by the organizations and Commonwealth agencies staffing the MARC include 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.
“The flooding in southwestern Pennsylvania has been devastating, and my Administration is committed to helping Pennsylvanians rebuild as quickly as possible,” said Governor Shapiro. “That’s why we secured these federal low-interest loans for our families and businesses, worked with our local partners to establish a community assistance center, and activated the Commonwealth’s disaster assistance grants to help people repair their homes and replace their belongings. We will continue to work closely with local officials to ensure this community has the support they need to recover from this flooding.”
Last week, PEMA Director Randy Padfield and PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll personally visited Somerset County to view the damage and meet directly with local officials to offer state support. 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.
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 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. Eligible Pennsylvanians can apply for DRAP grants starting on Tuesday, May 27.
The SBA’s 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 will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) in Somerset County beginning Monday, May 26, 2025, from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM to provide in-person assistance for those wishing to apply. PEMA will also be available at the DLOC starting on Tuesday, May 27 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 (Monday, May 26: The DLOC opens at 10:00 AM)
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 will be held at the same location where the Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) is being held from May 22-24, 2025; however, the services provided at the DLOC will be 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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