Indiana Storm Damage? SBA Disaster Loan Deadlines Hit December 8 in 28 Counties — Who Qualifies

Indiana business owners whose property or income took a hit from the June storms now have federal loan options, and the clock is running. Governor Mike Braun announced on October 16, 2026 that the U.S. Small Business Administration declared a disaster for storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flash flooding that struck from June 6 through June 26, 2026. Physical damage applications close December 8, 2026. Economic injury applications close July 9, 2027.

Here is who is eligible, which loan fits which problem, and where you can get free in-person help before the outreach centers close.

The Dates That Matter

Only damage from the declared window counts. As the announcement put it, damage incurred outside of June 6 through June 26 is not eligible. Keep that in mind if your business suffered losses in separate weather events.

• June storms, physical damage: December 8, 2026
• June storms, economic injury: July 9, 2027
• Separate August 2026 disaster, physical damage: October 25, 2026
• Separate August 2026 disaster, economic injury: May 24, 2027

The August disaster is a different declaration that is still accepting applications. If your business was hit by that event as well, its physical damage deadline is only days away, on October 25.

The 28 Eligible Counties

Six counties are named as primary: Elkhart, Gibson, Harrison, Jefferson, Lake, and Warrick.

Another 22 contiguous counties are also eligible: Clark, Crawford, Dubois, Floyd, Jasper, Jennings, Knox, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Marshall, Newton, Noble, Pike, Porter, Posey, Ripley, Scott, Spencer, St. Joseph, Switzerland, Vanderburgh, and Washington.

That is a broad area covering northern Indiana, the Chicago suburbs along Lake and Porter counties, and much of the southern part of the state along the Ohio River.

Two Business Loan Types, Two Different Jobs

The SBA offers more than one product, and choosing the right one affects how much help you get.

Business Physical Disaster Loans

These cover repairs or replacement of business-owned property, including real estate, inventory, supplies, machinery, and equipment. They are open to businesses of any size and to private nonprofits. If a storm tore off a roof, flooded your stockroom, or destroyed a delivery van you own, this is the product to look at.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans

These provide working capital for ordinary financial obligations that the disaster kept you from meeting. They are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses, and most private nonprofits of any size. If your shop closed for weeks, customers stayed home, or a supplier could not deliver, an economic injury loan can help cover payroll, rent, and bills.

The announcement also lists home disaster loans for homeowners and renters, which can matter for owners who run a business from their residence or lost personal property alongside business assets.

What the Announcement Did Not Say

The announcement did not include interest rates or maximum loan amounts. Check the SBA's loan portal or speak with a representative for current terms before you decide. Rates for disaster loans are set by the SBA and can differ depending on whether you can get credit elsewhere, so do not rely on figures from past disasters.

Free In-Person Help Before October 30

Disaster Loan Outreach Centers opened at noon on October 16. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can book an appointment at appointment.sba.gov. SBA staff provide free help with questions and applications. All three centers close permanently on October 30, so do not put this off.

• Harrison County: Lanesville Townhall, 7346 Main St. NE, Lanesville, IN 47136. Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closes at 5 p.m. on October 30.
• Gibson County: Princeton Public Library, 124 S. Hart St., Princeton, IN 47670. Monday through Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday noon to 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closes at 5 p.m. on October 30.
• Jefferson County: Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency, 620 Green Rd., Madison, IN 47250. Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closes at 4 p.m. on October 30.

You can also apply online through the SBA's MySBA Loan Portal without visiting a center.

Get Your Paperwork Ready

Whether you go online or in person, a complete file speeds things up. Gather:

• Photos and a written list of storm damage, with repair estimates or receipts
• Your EIN, business license, and ownership documents
• Recent tax returns and a profit and loss statement
• Insurance policies and any claim correspondence from your business insurance carrier
• Statements from your business bank account

Insurance matters here. File your claim first and keep every letter, because insurance payments can reduce the amount an SBA loan covers.

Before You Borrow

A disaster loan is borrowed money, so test the numbers. Estimate the total repair bill, subtract insurance, and decide how much working capital you truly need. Compare the SBA terms with a line of credit or a conventional SBA loan. If your income was already thin before the storms, ask whether the monthly payment fits your recovery plan, and talk with an accountant if you are unsure.

Your Action Plan

• Confirm your business address is in one of the 28 counties.
• Check that your losses happened between June 6 and June 26.
• Visit an outreach center before October 30 if you want free in-person help.
• Submit your physical damage application by December 8, 2026.
• If you lost income, mark July 9, 2027 for the economic injury deadline, but apply sooner.

The Bottom Line

Four months after the storms, Indiana owners still have a route to federal recovery money, but the first deadline is just weeks away. The free help closes on October 30 and the physical damage window ends December 8. If your building, equipment, or cash flow suffered, start now and bring your records.

Photo by Library of Congress on Unsplash