Low interest federal disaster loans are now available to King County residents, businesses and private nonprofits impacted by the December 2025 severe winter storms, with application deadlines set for spring and late fall.
The U.S. Small Business Administration issued a disaster declaration following a request from Gov. Bob Ferguson, opening access to assistance for counties across Washington, including King County. The declaration covers physical and economic losses resulting from storms that occurred between Dec. 5 and Dec. 22, 2025.
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay urged residents and business owners affected by flooding and storm damage to apply.
“Recovering from a disaster of this scale takes local, state, and federal partners working together to unlock resources and support. Through these loans, help is available right now,” said Zahilay. “These SBA loans can be a critical bridge for individuals and families repairing what was damaged and for our small businesses working to stay open and move forward. We encourage anyone impacted to apply and take advantage of these resources.”
Homeowners and renters may apply for home and personal property loans. Renters and homeowners can borrow up to $100,000 to repair or replace personal property such as clothing, furniture, vehicles and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to repair or replace a primary residence.
Businesses and private nonprofit organizations, including faith based organizations, may apply for business physical disaster loans of up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other assets.
Eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and private nonprofits may also apply for the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Economic injury loans provide working capital to help cover fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster. Businesses and nonprofits may qualify for economic injury assistance even if no physical damage occurred. The SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.
Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of verified physical damages for mitigation improvements. Eligible upgrades include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows and installing storm windows to help reduce future disaster risks.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for private nonprofits and 2.875% for homeowners and renters. Loan terms can extend up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue and payments are not due until 12 months after the first loan disbursement. Loan amounts and terms are determined by the SBA based on each applicant’s financial condition.
“Through an agency declaration, SBA provides financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We offer disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofits affected by the disaster.”
The deadline to apply for physical damage assistance is April 27, 2026. The deadline to apply for economic injury assistance is Nov. 24, 2026.
Applicants may apply online at SBA.gov/disaster. For assistance with applications, the SBA has opened Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in King County.
Beginning Thursday, Feb. 26, assistance is available at the Auburn Library, 1102 Auburn Way S., Auburn.
Beginning Monday, March 2, assistance is available at the Fall City Library, 33415 SE 42nd Place, Fall City.
Operating hours at both locations are Mondays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays from noon to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays from noon to 8 p.m.; Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Applicants may need to provide the name and address of the damaged property, contact information for all applicants or owners, Social Security numbers for all applicants, insurance policy details including agent or carrier information and filed claims, and lease agreement information for renters.
Applicants can contact the SBA Customer Service Center at 800 659 2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability may dial 711 to access telecommunications relay services.
