Thompson Announces USDA Disaster Assistance for 5th District Counties

Note: On November 17, 2011, FEMA amended the disaster declaration for communities impacted by Tropical Storm Lee to include Mifflin County.

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, and Lycoming counties as natural disaster areas due to drought and excessive heat that occurred June 1st through August 30th, 2011; designated Erie county as a natural disaster area due to excessive rain that occurred May 1st through June 28th, 2011, qualifying the continuous counties of Crawford and Warren for natural disaster assistance; and designated Lycoming and Tioga counties as eligible for natural disaster assistance due to excessive rain and flash flooding associated with Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee that occurred during the period of August 26th through September 12th, 2011, according to U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson.

"It’s vitally important that our producers are able to overcome these difficult circumstances and continue providing food and fuel to our communities and local economies," said Representative Thompson. “Those among our rural communities and farmers that have been disproportionately impacted by these disasters should utilize this support.”

Producers in both primary and contiguous counties are eligible to be considered for Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans (EM) and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE). SURE was approved as part of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 and was implemented beginning on January 4, 2010. FSA will consider each EM application on its own merit by taking into account the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.

Applicants in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. Local FSA offices can provide affected individuals with additional information.

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