SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash., March 3, 2026 – Snohomish County has spent the weeks since December’s record flooding focused on helping the community document damage while working with partners to identify resources that may speed recovery.
People who sustained flood and storm damage not covered by insurance can now meet in-person in Snohomish with representatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience to explore applying for low-interest loans.
While Snohomish County and partners worked to make a strong case for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief, the SBA loans offer many in our community a good option to recover from flood damage more fully, said Lucia Schmit, the County’s Emergency Management director.
Applying for an SBA loan now would not impact future eligibility for FEMA funding, should that become available.
“My team has been meeting with the community to better understand the impacts of the storm,” Schmit said. “Many Snohomish County residents and businesses were deeply impacted. We remain hopeful that we will receive a FEMA declaration and additional support. Even so, governmental disaster recovery funds rarely make households whole. These SBA loans may help with those losses.”
The County is grateful that the SBA is working with Sno-Isle Regional Libraries to stand up a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Snohomish, in the valley where flood damage was most concentrated, Schmit said.
The SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center opened Feb. 26 in the Big Study Room at the Snohomish Library, 311 Maple Ave., Snohomish. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday. After March 7, the center also is scheduled to be open Saturdays, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The December flooding caused more than $18 million in damage to publicly owned infrastructure such as roads and utilities. Meanwhile, 185 county residents and businesses have reported an estimated $5.5 million in damage to homes and other private property. That information was gathered via an online survey.
Snohomish County emergency management staff worked with partners at FEMA and the Washington State Emergency Management Division to review reported storm damage. Teams have visited dozens of homes to gather additional information.
That field work has confirmed that most Snohomish County residents who sustained flood damage aren’t eligible for the limited support available through the state’s Individual Assistance program. SBA loans are likely to be a more accessible option for most impacted residents.
Disaster loans up to $500,000 can be made available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.
Businesses may also be eligible for up to $2 million for both physical and economic losses due to storm damage. Business owners are welcome to come to the Disaster Loan Outreach Center for answers to their questions and assistance with their applications.
A home or business owner may also be eligible for a loan increase up to 20% of their physical damage amount to harden their home or business against future damage.
Interest on the loan does not begin to accrue nor do the repayments start until 12 months after receiving the initial payment. Proceeds from insurance coverage on the home or property may be deducted from the eligible loan amount.
Information you may need when you apply for the loan includes the address where damage occurred, contact information for all applicants or owners, Social Security numbers for all applicants, all insurance policy information including the Agent or Carrier contact information and claims filed, and lease agreement information for renters.
Residents, businesses, or private nonprofits with damages can also get additional disaster assistance information by applying directly online at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
More information about Snohomish County’s flood response and related resources, including SBA loans and individual assistance, is available at www.snohomishcountywa.gov/6586/Report-Damage
Source: Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
