Federal disaster loans available for Upstate NY residents, businesses affected by July storm

Syracuse, N.Y. — Homeowners, renters and businesses can now apply for low-interest federal disaster loans after the remnants of Hurricane Beryl swept through the region earlier this summer.

The loans are available to people and businesses in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Warren and Washington counties.

The following groups can apply for the loans, which will be administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration:

• Up to $500,000 for homeowners to repair their primary residence.
• Up to $100,000 for homeowners and renters to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
• Up to $2 million for businesses to replace inventory, equipment or other property.
• Up to $2 million for businesses and non-profits for “economic injury” loans to provide working capital until normal operations resume.

Additional information about the loans, including how to apply, can be found online here. Customer service is also available at 800-659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Locations for in-person assistance will be announced in the coming days.

Loan applications for physical property damage are due by Nov. 8. Applications for economic injury loans are due by June 9, 2025.

Federal disaster assistance was approved last month for some of the counties.

The remnants of Hurricane Beryl dumped massive amounts of rain on July 10-11, particularly in Lewis County. As much as 6.5 inches of rain fell in Lowville, the county seat, submerging many roads and inundating parts of the local school.

Staff writer Jon Moss covers breaking news, crime and public safety. He can be reached at jmoss@syracuse.com or @mossjon7.