By: The Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC) | 5.7.24
On the evening of April 30, a deadly EF3 tornado whipped through Westmoreland with 140 mile an hour winds. The tornado killed one person, injured another three people, destroyed 22 homes and damaged many more.
Governor Laura Kelly requested SBA Disaster loans for people impacted and information will be available soon on how to access those funds.
On July 15, 2024, President Joe Biden approved major disaster recovery assistance for the area. Jennifer Merrow of Pottawatomie County Emergency Management Services worked with the appropriate parties on damage assessments and cost accumulation, then submitted those to the state. Since the President signed the Declaration, they are now submitting all costs into the federal database, as well as the City. This allows for government owned property, personnel hours, equipment hours, emergency protective measures, recreation, streets/roads, etc to be submitted for reimbursement.
Resources Available for Individuals
SBA Disaster Loans
U.S. Small Business Administration provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from a declared disaster. Businesses of all sizes, homeowners, renters, and private nonprofit organizations can apply. You must be located in a declared disaster area and meet other eligibility criteria depending on the type of loan.
Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. The deadline to apply for property damage is July 15, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is February 18, 2025.
Read the news release from U.S. Small Business Administration.
Read the SBA Disaster Loans Fact Sheet.
Realtors® Relief Foundation Grants
The Flint Hills Association of Realtors® is proud to announce that they are partnering with the Realtors® Relief Foundation (RRF) to provide financial assistance to those who were displaced by the tornado that hit Westmoreland on April 30, 2024.
Homeowners and renters may apply for up to $1,500 in mortgage or rental assistance or hotel reimbursement. Monies, if granted, will be made payable to the homeowner or home renter. Deadline for application submission is June 18, 2024. *Extended to July 3, 2024.*
USDA 504 Home Repair
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kansas Rural Development invites Kansans from rural communities to apply for loans and grants to repair property damaged during the recent storms. The 504 Home repair program can be used to cover the costs of storm damage repair. The program may also be used for the construction of storm shelters.
USDA makes funding available for the Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants through regular appropriations from Congress. It provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve, or modernize their homes, or provides grants to elderly, very-low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards. Also known as the Section 504 Home Repair Program, loans can be granted for as much as $40,000 and grants for as much as $10,000. Loans and grants can be combined for a total amount as high as $50,000.
Are there additional resources to add to this list? Contact us and let us know so we can get the word out.
Watch drone footage of the storm damage.
Read updates from Pottawatomie County.
