10/27/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Shapiro Administration Secures Low-interest Loans from the Federal Government and Activates the Commonwealth's Disaster Grant Program for People Impacted by September Flooding in Washington County
Low-interest loans now available through the U.S. Small Business Administration for Pennsylvanians impacted by flash flooding from Sept.12-20 in Washington County and surrounding Allegheny, Beaver, Fayette, Greene, and Westmoreland counties.
Shapiro Administration opens Commonwealth Disaster Grant Program to people in several municipalities in Washington County to provide grants for home repairs, temporary housing, rental expenses, and more.
Harrisburg, PA – The Shapiro Administrationannounced today that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved Gov. Josh Shapiro’s recent request to make financial assistance available to individuals, families, and businesses affected by the Sept. 12-20, 2026,severe storms and flash flooding in Washington County, and the surrounding counties of Allegheny, Beaver, Fayette, Greene, andWestmoreland.
Additionally, on Wednesday, Oct. 28, the Shapiro Administration will activate the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP) through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), which provides grants to eligible individuals and families affected by the Sept. 12-20, 2026, flash flooding, that meet specific criteria. DRAP will be available in Washington County municipalities that issued a local disaster proclamation as listed below.
• Canton Township
• Donegal Township
• East Washington Township
• Independence Township
• North Strabane Township
• South Strabane Township
• Union Township
• Washington City
“This series of storms over a week produced heavy rain and flash flooding that impacted many residents and businesses across Washington County,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “Help is available, and together we are working to bring support to the people who need it.”
The SBA’s Disaster Loan Program provides low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, private non-profit organizations, and businesses who sustained physical damages from flooding. The SBA can provide up to $500,000 for homeowners to replace or repair their primary residences and up to $100,000 for homeowners and renters to replace or repair personal property. Businesses and most private non-profit organizations may apply for up to $2 million to cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance.
Additionally, small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations located in the declared disaster area that have suffered substantial economic injury may be eligible for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).
The SBA offers long-term repayment options, with loan terms of up to 30 years to help keep payments affordable. Repayment terms are determined on a case-by-case basis based on each borrower’s ability to repay. Additional information about the SBA disaster declaration and access to the online loan application for the Sept. 12-20, 2026, flooding and severe weather can be found here https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/?disaster=PA-20046
Applicants may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability should dial 7-1-1 for relay services), or by emailing:
[email protected] and referencing Pennsylvania Disaster Number PA-20046.
The deadline to return SBA disaster loan applications for physical damages is Dec. 22, 2026. The deadline to return SBA economic injury disaster loan (EIDL) applications is July 23, 2027.
The SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) in South Strabane Township beginning Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, at 12:00 PM to provide in-person assistance for those wishing to apply. Visiting the DLOC is not required to obtain assistance.
DLOC Location:
South Strabane Township Administration Building
550 Washington Rd.
Washington, PA 15301
DLOC Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM.
Saturday from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM.
Sunday the DLOC is closed.
The DLOC will close at 5:00PM on Monday Nov. 2, and will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 3 for Election Day. The DLOC permanently closes Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Alternatively, paper loan applications can be downloaded here: https://legacy.sba.gov/document/sba-form-5c-disaster-home-loan-application. Completed paper applications can be dropped off in-person at the DLOC or mailed to:
U.S. Small Business Administration
Processing and Disbursement
14925 Kingsport Road
Fort Worth, TX 76155-2243
Commonwealth DRAP grants are intended for homeowners and renters who meet lower income thresholds, are uninsured or underinsured, and have not received other local, state, federal, non-governmental, or private aid. Eligible households may receive DRAP grants of up to $20,000 to repair their home, cover temporary housing and rental expenses, or replace essential personal property.
Those impacted by the Sept. 12-20, 2026, flash floods are encouraged to visit the PEMA website at pa.gov/ready/drap to see if they qualify for DRAP grants. The DRAP application portal will open on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. All DRAP applications must be submitted by Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2027.
Since 2023, the DRAP program has been activated 15 times, providing over $770,000 in grants to Pennsylvanians recovering from fires and flooding with nowhere else to turn for help. Each year, the Shapiro Administration has invested $5 million in DRAP, totaling $20 million to date. The program is now expanding to allow county and municipal governments to apply for public infrastructure grants up to $5 million to reimburse certain eligible costs for disaster recovery needs.
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