Heavy rains that following drenching from remnants of Hurricane Ida prompt SBA declaration

October 14, 2021 - The US Small Business Administration issued a Disaster Declaration for Cobb County Thursday that will provide assistance to those impacted by flooding caused by heavy rains last month.  Parts of the county were hit by more than five inches of rain in a short period of time, causing flood damage to homes, businesses, and apartments in areas that have rarely been impacted by flooding.

The declaration comes after federal, state, and local disaster teams toured the area last month.  More than 250 reports of building damage were submitted to Cobb Emergency Management teams in the days following the early September deluge.

“Many who reported flood damage had never experienced such a disaster before,” said Cobb Emergency Management Director Cassie Mazloom.  “After our survey teams found the impacted area was much larger than expected, we ramped up an online reporting tool that allowed residents to report building damage.  We hope this declaration will allow many of these victims to get assistance to complete repairs.”

The declaration means those affected can apply for physical damage SBA loans as well as the Economic Injury Disaster Loans for small businesses. SBA officials will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center starting this Saturday at the Sewell Mill Library & Cultural Center at 2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta. Representatives will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, then from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.  The center will be open through October 28.

SBA Loan Information for Disaster Relief