Arizona residents hurt by monsoon flooding can get loans
Oct 3, 2014, 10:26 AM | Updated: Oct 6, 2014, 9:51 am
PHOENIX — Arizona business owners and residents affected by flooding
earlier this month can apply for federal loans.
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced Thursday that low-interest
disaster loans are available for Arizonans who sustained extensive damage from
monsoon storms that hit Sept. 8.
In a several-hour time span, 3.3 inches of rain fell at Phoenix Sky Harbor. Other areas received up to two additional inches or more. Rain pounded the Valley, damaging a business and homes. A ceiling partially collapsed at a grocery store at Baseline Road and McClintock Drive in Tempe. There were no injuries.
Two transformers were submerged in Greenfield Park near Val Vista Drive and the US 60 and Meadow Green Parks near Lindsay and Broadway roads. Crews were unable to cut power. About 100 nearby homes were evacuated. A Red Cross shelter was set up at the Broadway Recreation Center near Broadway Road and Center Street for residents.
Roosevelt School District in Phoenix, Litchfield Park Elementary and Buckeye school districts canceled classes. Washington School District delayed the start of classes, while Chandler, which was deluged with 4½ inches, had no plans to call off classes. Tempe Union High Schools made attendance optional.
Schools weren’t the only things closed. The Arizona House did not open, a Tempe Tilted Kilt said it would stay shuttered until 3 p.m. and the MVD office near 51st Avenue and Indian School said it would be closed through Tuesday. Multiple listeners told KTAR they were given the day off.
The largest issue the massive storm caused was the extended closure of Interstate 10. The freeway was completely submerged in some areas, along with multiple vehicles.
SBA administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet said the agency declared the area a
disaster in response to a request made by Gov. Jan Brewer.
The loan program will be offered to residents in Maricopa County and several
neighboring counties.
Officials say the loans, which go up to $200,000, are for homeowners, renters,
private businesses and nonprofits.
SBA representatives will be at designated Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in
Phoenix, Mesa and Glendale through next week to answer questions.
The filing deadline for applications is Dec. 1.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
