County opens Disaster Loan Outreach Center for residents and businesses impacted by December storms

A person's hand holding a pen over paper with "SBA loan" text, alongside a notice: "SBA Disaster Loan Assistance Available" from San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services. — *Low-interest SBA disaster loans are available to help San Bernardino County residents and businesses recover from recent disaster impacts.*

Heavy rain and flooding in late December 2025 impacted homes, rental properties and businesses across San Bernardino County. Homeowners, renters, nonprofit organizations and business owners who experienced uninsured damage or economic losses may be eligible for low-interest federal disaster loans.

To support those affected, the San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services (OES), in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), has opened a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) to provide in-person assistance with disaster loan applications.

SBA representatives will be available on-site to answer questions, explain available programs and assist applicants throughout the process.

Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and private nonprofit organizations, including faith-based organizations, that suffered financial losses directly related to the disaster. Physical damage is not required to qualify. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises. EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.875% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and

payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

The deadline to return physical damage applications is April 6. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Nov. 3.

DLOC information:

Disaster Loan Outreach Center Location:
San Bernardino County Fire Station 40
Community Room
6584 Caliente Rd.
Oak Hills

Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Note: Closed on Monday, Feb. 16 for Presidents’ Day

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Recovery information can also be found online by visiting prepare.sbcounty.gov and navigating to the Storm Recovery Resources page.

Additional County Update News – Feb. 12, 2026