SBA Approves Disaster Declaration for April 17 Storm in Stephenson County

SPRINGFIELD — The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved a disaster declaration for the severe storm and tornado that impacted Stephenson County on April 17, 2026, making long-term, low-interest disaster loans available to homeowners, renters, businesses and certain nonprofits for losses not fully covered by insurance; the declaration includes Stephenson County as the primary area, along with Carroll, Jo Daviess, Ogle and Winnebago counties in Illinois and Green and Lafayette counties in Wisconsin, and under the program homeowners and renters may apply for up to $500,000 for real estate repairs and up to $100,000 for personal property, while small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and eligible nonprofits may apply for up to $2 million through Economic Injury Disaster Loans, with physical damage loan applications due July 17, 2026, and EIDL applications due Feb. 18, 2027, and additional information is available through the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or the SBA disaster assistance website.