SBA Assistance Opens for Wind and Drought-Damaged Properties
The Small Business Administration is accepting applications from Idaho homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits who sustained losses from destructive windstorms last December and the ongoing drought crisis affecting the state’s agricultural regions.
Windstorms with gusts exceeding 80 miles per hour swept across Idaho in December, causing $5.9 million in damage. President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for counties affected by the windstorm, while Governor Brad Little issued a drought declaration in April that extended assistance eligibility to additional counties facing water shortages and agricultural hardship.
The SBA disaster loan program provides fixed-rate, low-interest financing for property owners and operators to repair or replace damaged assets. Homeowners and renters in Idaho and Shoshone counties—the two counties directly impacted by the December windstorm—can borrow up to $100,000 for personal property replacement and repair. Homeowners whose primary residences sustained damage may borrow up to $500,000 for repair or replacement costs.
Businesses and nonprofits in the windstorm-affected counties can access up to $2 million in loans to repair or replace damaged business property, equipment, and inventory. Applicants must apply by August 7 for physical disaster loans covering windstorm damage.
Drought Relief Extends Across Southern and Eastern Idaho
Southern and eastern Idaho counties facing drought-related losses qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which do not require physical damage to properties or assets. Sixteen counties are eligible for this program: Bannock, Bingham, Blaine, Butte, Camas, Cassia, Custer, Elmore, Franklin, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Oneida, Power, Idaho, and Shoshone.
Small businesses, private nonprofits, and small agricultural cooperatives that have experienced financial hardship due to drought can apply. Economic injury loans do not require documented property damage; instead, applicants must demonstrate that their operations have been materially affected by the drought conditions. Application deadlines vary by county: applicants in 14 counties have until January 19, 2027, while Idaho and Shoshone counties have until March 8, 2027.
Natalie Butz, an SBA disaster recovery spokesperson, noted that physical disaster loans—those tied to visible damage—represent a straightforward application process. “Those are our most underutilized portion of our program, because it’s very easy for survivors to understand when they have sustained physical damages as a result of the disaster,” Butz said.
The economic injury program, by contrast, presents a more complex eligibility picture. “But economic injury is a little bit harder to pin down,” Butz explained, acknowledging that farmers and small business operators sometimes overlook or underutilize this assistance despite qualifying for it.
How to Apply
Eligible applicants can begin the loan application process through the SBA website or by contacting the SBA’s disaster loan application center. The agency requires documentation of losses, proof of ownership or occupancy, and financial information demonstrating the need for assistance.
For homeowners and renters, documentation of property damage and estimates for repair or replacement are essential. Business owners applying for either physical disaster loans or economic injury loans should prepare financial records, tax returns, and evidence of how the disaster or drought has affected their operations.
Given the tight application deadlines—particularly the August 7 deadline for physical disaster loans related to the December windstorms—property owners and business operators are encouraged to begin gathering documentation and submitting applications promptly.
Idaho’s agricultural community continues to grapple with significant water challenges. Farmers face up to 33 percent water cuts as snowpack failure drains Snake River supplies, compounding the drought’s impact on irrigation-dependent crops and livestock operations across the state.
What Comes Next
The SBA anticipates a high volume of applications over the coming months. Applicants should monitor the agency’s disaster assistance portal for updates and ensure they meet applicable deadlines. Economic injury loan applications for the 14-county region will remain open through January 2027, giving farmers and business operators additional time to gather documentation and apply.
Property owners who experienced windstorm damage should prioritize their applications before the August 7 deadline. The SBA will process applications on a first-come, first-served basis, and funding availability may affect approval timelines.