FEMA, SBA Help Available For Private Roads Damaged By Storms

 Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Friday there may be assistance available for private roads and bridges damaged by recent severe storms and floods.

FEMA and the US Small Business Administration (SBA) said they may be able to help cover repair costs for damages that occurred between May 5 and June 4.

FEMA said the expenses could be covered if the following criteria are met:

• It is the applicant's primary residence;
  
• It is the only access to the property;
  
• It is impossible to access the home with the damaged infrastructure; or
  
• The safety of the occupants could be adversely affected.
  

SBA is FEMA's federal partner in disaster recovery and may also help. Private property owners, established homeowner associations and properties governed by covenant may apply for a low-interest disaster loans directly through SBA. These funds can be used to repair or replace private roads and bridges, according to a press release. Privately-owned access roads owned by homeowner associations may apply directly to the SBA.

Federal officials said homeowners who jointly own access roads and bridges may also be eligible for repair grants or SBA loans under certain circumstances. In some cases, sharing the cost of repairs with funds obtained through a combination of FEMA, SBA loans and private funds may be another option. The affected homeowners were urged to register with FEMA individually.

6/5/2015 Related Story: Private Businesses Fix Washed Out Road In Cleveland Co.

Survivors can apply for state and federal assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register.