OK.gov
OKLAHOMA CITY – Last week, Governor Kevin Stitt requested a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration to assist those impacted by tornadoes, severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding that began April 30.
If approved, the governor’s request would bring SBA low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, and business owners in Bryan and Pittsburg counties to repair or replace any property damaged by the storm that was not covered by insurance. The loan program would also be available to assist businesses that sustained economic losses due to the storm.
Under SBA rules, counties contiguous to Bryan and Pittsburg counties would also be eligible for assistance, including Atoka, Choctaw, Coal, Haskell, Hughes, Johnston, Latimer, Marshall, McIntosh, and Pushmataha counties.
Damage assessments found 193 homes and businesses affected by the storm in Bryan and Pittsburg counties alone. Of those, 76 homes and businesses with major damage were identified as uninsured and may be eligible for SBA’s program.
At least 222 homes and businesses were affected by the storms in southeast Oklahoma. Emergency managers continue to assess damages caused by flooding and severe weather in northern and southwest Oklahoma.