Disaster Assistance Resources

REP. SEWELL'S DISASTER ASSISTANCE TELEPHONE TOWN HALL

INFORMATION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Pursuant to President Biden's major disaster declaration, small businesses in Autauga, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Greene, Hale, Sumter and Tallapoosa Counties are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Bibb, Chambers, Chilton, Choctaw, Clay, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, Talladega, Tuscaloosa and Wilcox in Alabama; and Kemper, Lauderdale and Noxubee in Mississippi.

HOW TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ and should apply under SBA declaration #17759.

Disaster loan information and application forms can also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services) or sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded from sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to:

U.S. Small Business Administration Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road
Fort Worth, TX 76155

BUSINESS RECOVERY CENTERS (BRC)

SBA is operating two local Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) to assist business owners and residents in filling out a disaster loan application and providing one-on-one help and program information. The centers will operate as indicated below until further notice:

• Dallas County
• GTC Administrative Building
• 2300 Summerfield Road, Selma, AL 36701
• Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Autauga County
• Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce
• 131 North Court Street, Prattville, AL 36067
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

View the SBA Fact Sheet here.

DURING A TORNADO

• Go to a pre-designated area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of a small interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
• In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
• Put on sturdy shoes.
• Do not open windows.

If you are not in a sturdy building, there is no single research-based recommendation for what last-resort action to take because many factors can affect your decision. Possible actions include:

• Immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. If your vehicle is hit by flying debris while you are driving, pull over and park.
• Take cover in a stationary vehicle. Put the seat belt on and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or other cushion if possible.
• Lie in an area noticeably lower than the level of the roadway and cover your head with your arms and a blanket, coat or other cushion if possible.

In all situations:

• Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
• Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.
• Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.