The SBA has extended the incident period to March 14 for its Ohio disaster declaration in response to additional damages that occurred several days following the severe storms and flooding that began on Feb. 27. The declaration covers Auglaize and Marion counties and the adjacent counties of Allen, Crawford, Darke, Delaware, Hardin, Logan, Mercer, Morrow, Shelby, Union, Van Wert and Wyandot in Ohio.

"SBA stands ready to provide low interest disaster loans to every eligible homeowner, renter, business and private non-profit organization in the areas affected by the recent disaster," said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA's Field Operations Center East in Atlanta. "We urge anyone who suffered damage from Feb. 27 through March 14 to immediately apply for assistance."

"Applying for assistance is simple. Those affected can apply online, call our Customer Service Center or visit one of the temporary Disaster Loan Outreach Centers we have established," added Skaggs.

Anyone may obtain information or loan applications by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, or by sending an e-mail to [email protected].

Loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be returned to the Centers or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center,

14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

To apply for disaster loans online, visit SBA's secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is May 17, 2011. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Dec. 19, 2011.