New disaster recovery center opens in Clearlake

Victims of the Valley fire can now obtain help applying for emergency assistance, including loans, in Clearlake as well as Middletown.

Available assistance includes low-interest loans through the Small Business Administration.

Fire-affected businesses, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters may apply for low-interest business administration disaster loans to repair or replace disaster-damaged property, according to administration officials.

Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other assets. Loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Victims of the Rocky fire who plan to apply for business administration loans must do so by Nov. 2, administration officials warned Friday.

The new Clearlake center is located at 14848 Olympic Drive. The Middletown center is at the Senior Center, 21256 Washington St. Emergency agency officials recommend registering by phone at 800-621-3362 or by email at DisasterAssistance.gov.