SBA Declares Disaster, Offers Low-Interest Loans to Humboldt County Storm Victims

The U.S. Small Business Administration has made low‑interest disaster loans available to Humboldt County residents and businesses after the 2026 Early January Storm, Tidal Flooding and King Tides, which struck Dec. 31, 2025–Jan. 5, 2026. The declaration covers five Northern California counties - Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Siskiyou and Trinity - and follows a Jan. 28, 2026 request from Cal OES Interim Director Christina Curry on behalf of Governor Gavin Newsom.

The SBA declaration allows homeowners, renters, business owners and nonprofit organizations to apply for federal disaster loans to offset physical and economic losses tied to the storm and tidal flooding. Business physical disaster loans can reach up to $2 million to repair or replace real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other business assets. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to repair or replace their primary residence, and up to $100,000 is available to replace or repair personal property such as clothing, furniture, cars and appliances. Economic Injury Disaster Loans, or EIDLs, can provide working capital for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and private nonprofits to cover fixed debts, payroll and other operating expenses even if there was no physical damage.

Humboldt County officials emphasized an important limitation for local residents: “This SBA declaration does not mean that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance is available to affected Humboldt County residents.” That caveat means residents should not assume parallel FEMA individual assistance or public assistance programs are in force without separate confirmation from FEMA or Cal OES.

SBA outreach teams will assist applicants at Disaster Loan Outreach Centers and Business Recovery Centers. “When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers play a vital role in helping small businesses and their communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the SBA Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience. Stallings added in related SBA field notices that “These loans can be the difference between shutting down and making it through,” underscoring the financial importance of timely access to capital for small employers.

Applicants may also be eligible for additional funds to harden properties against future storms - up to 20 percent more than verified physical damage for mitigation work. Examples of eligible improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows. The SBA is not able to make loans to agricultural producers, farmers or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

The California SBA press release did not specify interest rates, repayment terms or application deadlines for this declaration. A separate SBA activation in Washington state cited rates as low as 4 percent for businesses and 3.625 percent for nonprofits, repayment terms up to 30 years and a 12‑month payment deferral; those figures are illustrative of SBA programs but should be confirmed for the California declaration.

Humboldt County residents seeking assistance should contact the SBA by phone at (800) 659-2955 or check directly with SBA and Cal OES for Disaster Loan Outreach Center locations, hours and the specific application deadline and loan terms that apply to this California activation. For local homeowners, renters and small businesses, the declaration opens a pathway to recovery financing; next steps are to document damages, apply promptly, and confirm whether additional federal or state disaster aid will be made available.