UPSHUR COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) – It was a thunderous two-month period in East Texas as storms and tornados roared through, damaging homes, businesses and property.

Upshur County residents are still reeling from tornado damage sustained in March.

On the third floor of the Upshur County courthouse in Gilmer, representatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to help businesses and homeowners with SBA loans.

“A lot of people don’t come in contact with our agency unless a disaster has happened. So we’ve come in and we’re able to offer low interest disaster loans that are federally backed. This is for uninsured losses,” said public information officer Rick Tillery.

Victims of the severe storms and tornado, can visit the location and get in person help to complete the application for a federally backed disaster loan.

The most common misconception about disaster loans through the SBA is that they’re for business only. That’s absolutely false.

Homeowners, renters, businesses, and private non-profits can be covered for a variety of uninsured losses.

“These are loans and they must be paid back. You can get up to $200,000 for the home structure, the homeowners and $40,000 for personal property inside the home and a primary vehicle. Also applies to renters. Talk to your insurance company, see what’s covered, and then we’ll cover what’s not covered by your insurance company,” Tillery says.

And for SBA workers, perhaps make recovery a little easier.

“It can be a little challenging to come into a community and to work among these people who have gone through some serious tough times, but it’s fulfilling to be able to help them to recover,” says Tillery.

The SBA offices will be open Monday through Friday at the Upshur County courthouse, and will be on hand until May 26 for loan applications.

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