Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine today announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will offer federal assistance to Suffolk County residents and businesses that were impacted by severe storms and flooding on January 9-10, 2024.  Any resident or business located in a declared disaster area is eligible to apply for low-interest loans to aid in their recovery.    

“We thank our partners in both the federal and state governments for advocating for Suffolk County’s home and business owners in the wake of these incredibly destructive storms,” said Romaine. “These storms caused more damage than Superstorm Sandy in some cases. People need help moving forward, and the SBA has provided that assistance.”   

The application deadline for Physical Damage is May 10, 2024, and the application deadline for Economic Injury is December 11.   

The storm included 3.5 inches of flooding rainfall, strong to damaging winds with gusts up to 60 mph, moderate to locally major coastal flooding, and major shoreline impacts. Widespread flooding, with some areas seeing up to three feet, occurred in the most vulnerable locations near the waterfront and shoreline.  Roads, parking lots, parks, and homes/businesses with basements near the waterfront also experienced flooding. Isolated inundation of the barrier island occurred where dune structures had already been severely compromised from previous storms.   

Prior to the storm, County Executive Romaine declared a State of Emergency, fully staffing the Suffolk County Emergency Operations Center to stay in constant communication with town, county, and state partners to monitor weather impacts.   

There are three types of Disaster Loans available:   

Business Physical Disaster Loans- Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.   

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.   

Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair to replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.  Applicants must have a credit history acceptable to the SBA and must show the ability to repay all loans.   

Disaster Loan Outreach Centers – The SBA is establishing Disaster Loan Outreach Centers to help New Yorkers apply in-person for assistance. Both centers will open on Friday, March 15 at 11:00 a.m. See below for both centers’ hours of operations after March 15.  

Babylon Town Hall, 200 Sunrise Hwy, Lindenhurst, NY 11757  

• Opens Friday, March 15 at 11:00 a.m.  
• Hours of Operation (after Mar. 15):  
• Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  
• Closed Saturday and Sunday.  

Mastic Recreation Center, 15 Herkimer Street, Mastic, NY 11950  

• Opens Friday, March 15 at 11:00 a.m.  
• Hours of Operation (after Mar. 15):  
• Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.  
• Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  
• Closed Sunday.  

Applications for disaster loans may also be submitted online using the MySBA Loan Portal at https://lending.sba.gov. For additional information you can contact the SBA’s Customer Center by email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or by phone at 1-800-659-2955.