Hochul secures federal disaster loans for Western New York communities hit by September floods

Albany, New York – Residents and businesses recovering from the September 3 floods in Western New York can now seek low-interest federal disaster loans after Governor Kathy Hochul secured a disaster declaration covering Erie County and five neighboring counties.

The Physical Disaster Declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration extends assistance to eligible applicants in Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Wyoming, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. The loans can support property repairs, replacement of damaged belongings and business recovery following the storms.

“New Yorkers deserve every dollar possible to help rebuild from these devastating floods,” Governor Hochul said. “I’m thankful for our federal partners who helped to secure this declaration and the critical funds necessary to help get Western New York back on its feet.”

Eligible homeowners may borrow up to $500,000 to repair their primary residence. A separate category provides homeowners and renters with loans of up to $100,000 to repair or replace personal property damaged or destroyed in the flooding.

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Business owners may qualify for up to $2 million to replace real property, inventory, machinery, equipment and other physical losses. Businesses and nonprofit organizations may also be eligible for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million, providing working capital while they work toward resuming normal operations.

The announcement follows flooding that damaged homes and commercial properties in Buffalo, including businesses along Hertel Avenue. Local officials described the assistance as a significant step toward helping affected neighborhoods meet the financial demands of recovery.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and the September 3 flooding caused significant damage to businesses along Hertel Avenue that are now facing the cost of repairs and recovery. These businesses are vital to our local economy, and we need to make sure they have the resources to rebuild and continue serving our community. I’m glad to see this assistance made available to Western New York businesses and residents as they continue to recover from the storm,” Senator April N.M. Baskin said.

Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan said the city began mobilizing resources the day after the rainfall, visiting affected properties and helping document losses as residents and business owners pressed for assistance.

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“September’s historic rainfall brought destructive flash flooding to North Buffalo. Our administration mobilized resources the very next day, visited businesses and homes, and worked with our neighbors to document the damage and advocate for assistance. I thank our residents and business owners for their advocacy, and Governor Hochul for recognizing the severity of the situation and securing this declaration from the Small Business Administration. These low-interest disaster loans will help our neighbors repair their homes, restore their businesses and continue to recover,” Ryan said.

State emergency management officials also credited coordination among state, federal and county agencies with helping secure access to recovery funding.

“In early September, homes and businesses in Erie County experienced flooding and thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul, those who were impacted now have access to vital funding that will aid in the recovery process. I thank the Governor, the SBA and all the county emergency management personnel involved in this process for their partnership in getting these New Yorkers the support they deserve,” New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Terry O’Leary said.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz emphasized the importance of making financial assistance available to those facing rebuilding costs.

“When disaster strikes, homeowners and businesses can be left out in the cold if no assistance is available to help them rebuild. Getting this funding following the September flooding is crucial to getting local residents and businesses back on their feet and I thank Governor Hochul for her quick action to make this happen,” Poloncarz said.

Buffalo Common Council President Joel Feroleto welcomed the declaration as a response to residents’ appeals for help.

“I am pleased that New York State listened to the residents of Buffalo. This declaration provides a vital lifeline for our businesses and residents to recover from the financial toll of this disaster. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for always standing with Western New Yorkers,” Feroleto said.

Applications for physical disaster loans must be submitted by December 18, 2026. The deadline for economic injury loan applications is July 19, 2027.

Applicants can apply through the MySBA Loan Portal or at locally announced application locations. Assistance is available from the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or by email at [email protected]. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability can dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Residents can also enroll in New York’s emergency and weather text alerts by texting their county or borough of residence to 333111.