Governor Wolf Requests Aid for Homes and Businesses Damaged by Floods and Mudslides in Uniontown, Fayette County

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 8 -- Gov. Tom Wolf, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news:

Governor Tom Wolf today announced that he has requested the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) declare disasters in Fayette County and Uniontown for those businesses and homes that suffered significant wind, flood, and in some cases, mudslide damage from a tornado and storms that impacted the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania between February 15 and 17, 2018.

"Severe weather such as that sustained in Fayette County in February can quickly wreak havoc on rivers, streams, and landscapes, causing damage that is beyond that covered by insurance," Governor Wolf said. "The availability of low-interest loans will make it possible for residents and businesses to get back to normal more quickly, and we are hopeful that the SBA will make this assistance available."

Based on the results of a Commonwealth Damage Survey, the damage in Fayette County and the city of Uniontown meets the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) criteria of at least 25 homes and/or businesses with uninsured losses of 40 percent or more of their estimated fair market value.

Along with county officials, the commonwealth conducted a detailed damage assessment that appears to show that over 38 of the homes and businesses involved have uninsured losses that meet or exceed the 40 percent of the pre-disaster fair market value.

"Based on the damage assessment results, I requested that Fayette County be declared a disaster area by the SBA, so that low interest loans may be made available to the affected property owners," Governor Wolf said.

After the SBA makes it decision, the commonwealth will advise affected residents and business owners.