Pike County residents with tornado damage could know within a week if they will be eligible for a special loan to help with recovery.

The Small Business Administration was in Pike County Thursday, touring damage left in the wake of two tornadoes that ripped through the area on Christmas night.

An assessor with the SBA rode with Pike County Emergency Management Agency director Jeanna Barnes and a representative from Alabama EMA on a route that took them to Brantley Mobile Home Park, down County Road 2214 in Goshen, along Shellhorn Road, then over to the Tennille area near Brundidge.

“The SBA recorded the number of homes with major and minor damage and will use that information to determine if Pike County meets their requirements to be a disaster area,” Barnes said. “The SBA’s description of major damage is a little different than FEMA’s, so we very well could receive the declaration.”

The SBA determined that there were 29 homes with major damage in Pike County and 10 with minor damage. Of the homes with major damage, 12 were mobile homes in Brantley Mobile Home Park, six were mobile homes elsewhere and eight were single family homes. Of those with minor damage, two were mobile homes in Brantley Mobile Home Park, one was a mobile home elsewhere and seven were single family homes.

“If we get the declaration, then people will be able to apply for loans that are low interest and they can extend the payment period on those in some cases up to 30 years,” Barnes said, noting that the SBA representative told her the county should know its disaster status in a week to 10 days.

If Pike County is declared a disaster area, renters and homeowners may borrow up to $40,000 from the SBA to repair or replace clothing, furniture, cars or appliances that were damaged or destroyed. Homeowners may apply for up to $200,000 to repair or replace a primary home. Loans may not be used to upgrade or make additions to homes, unless required by a building authority.

Qualified rental properties may be eligible for assistance under the SBA’s business loan program.

Those who have insurance even qualify for assistance.