Haslam Requests SBA Assistance for Disaster Recovery

Low-Interest Loans Could Aid Residents in Sullivan and Surrounding Counties

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has requested assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help individuals and businesses in Sullivan County and its contiguous counties recover from the severe storms and flash flooding that occurred on July 20-21, 2013.

The additional Tennessee counties that would be eligible for SBA loans are Carter, Hawkins, Johnson and Washington as damage to homes and businesses occurred in multiple locations.

A joint Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and SBA damage survey shows more than 88 homes and 65 businesses in Sullivan County sustained minor/major damages and loss of inventory. There was one reported death due to the storm.
 
“Tennesseans continue to recover from this storm, and SBA assistance would help these communities restore their homes and businesses,” Haslam said.

The SBA provides low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private, non-profit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.

From July 20 to July 21, 2013, a severe weather front in east Tennessee spawned numerous severe wind shears and strong thunderstorms with straight-line winds often exceeding 30 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service. Flood and wind damage occurred in multiple locations.