Hope Kirwan/Wisconsin Public Radio
FEMA officials assess damage in Vernon County in October.
Western Wisconsin Residents Still Recovering From September Flooding
6 Counties Eligible For Disaster Loans For Homes, Businesses
Homeowners and businesses impacted by flooding in western Wisconsin can now apply for federal aid.
In September, flash flooding affected many communities in western Wisconsin. More than 500 residents reported damage to their property in Vernon County alone.
Now, the U.S. Small Business Administration is providing low-interest disaster loans for residents in Vernon County and five other counties.
Many residents say they're still working to recover from the flooding more than a month later.
Karen Rynes bought a house in Readstown earlier this year with plans to open a photography studio.
"We were in the middle of remodeling to get my business going and the floods decided to hit, so we have a basement that has been (doing) nothing but draining of water," Rynes said.
Rynes said she's still dealing with water in her basement, but she’s hoping to get funding for both home and business repairs.
Without a SBA loan, Rynes said she probably won't be able to open her business.
"I started working another job, and what money I'm getting there we're just putting into trying to get the basement dried out," she said.
Gary Tricker and his wife said they had less flood damage than many of their neighbors. But the Viroqua couple decided to apply for a loan after their driveway was washed away in the flood.
"We are retired, and we are going to be on a fixed income, and with the loans, they're at a very good rate and its better than taking funds out of our retirement," Tricker said.
Residents have through December to apply for property damage loans and until July for loans covering other economic injuries from the flood.
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