PEARL RIVER COUNTY, Miss.--MEMA announced Friday that disaster assistance for home and business owners affected by the Christmas Day tornado in Pearl River County has been approved through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Gov. Phil Bryant requested the assistance last week because the damage was not extensive enough to warrant a response from FEMA.

The tornado damaged or destroyed 81 homes and businesses and was rated an EF3, with peak winds at 140 mph.

A news release from MEMA outlined all the necessary action to take to be approved for loans to help with rebuilding, rental assistance and other types of financial help:

The declaration covers Pearl River County and the adjacent counties of Forrest, Hancock, Harrison, Lamar, Marion and Stone.

The SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Pearl River County, Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 8 a.m., to issue applications and assist survivors with completing their applications. The center will open at the following location:

Old Armory
810 Highway 11 South
Poplarville, MS 39470

Hours: Tuesday, Jan. 8 – Thursday, Jan. 17 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed: Sunday, Jan. 13.
Closing: Thursday, Jan. 17 at close of business.


Applicants can apply at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center, online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela, by calling 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf or hard-of-hearing) or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov<mailto:disastercustomerservice@sba.gov>. Loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov<http://www.sba.gov>. Completed applications should be returned to the center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.


The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is March 5, 2013. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Oct. 4, 2013.

Loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Loans to businesses of all sizes and non-profit organizations will be available to repair damage to real estate, machinery, equipment and inventory.

According to the SBA, interest rates are as low as 1.750 percent for homeowners and renters, 2.875 percent for non-profit organizations and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.