Disaster loans approved

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Residents and businesses in areas of Virginia hit hard by a storm earlier this month can apply for federal disaster loans.

Gov. Timothy Kaine said Wednesday that the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved his request for federal disaster assistance.

Tropical Storm Ida's remnants primarily lashed coastal Virginia with high winds and drenching rain. Kaine says the storm caused an estimated $70 million in damage.

Homeowners and renters in the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach and the counties of James City and York are eligible to apply for low-interest loans.

Businesses affected by the storm also can apply for disaster loans.

Individuals and businesses may obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST, or by sending an e-mail to www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance

 Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance

Completed applications should be returned to the Center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Virginians may also apply for disaster loans from SBA's secure Web site at www.disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/