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In response to the recent tornadoes and floods, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering U.S. Department of Treasury disaster loans to small business owners affected by the natural disasters. Financial assistance is available to those who are located in an area President Obama has issued a natural disaster declaration.

After the recent swarm of devastating tornadoes, residents in Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri must prepare for the continuing prediction of storms. The latest tornado to hit the U.S. left 117 known victims in its wake; it is the deadliest tornado in over 60 years. MSNBC reports that about 1,500 are still missing after the recent storm.

The Associate Press reports that the last month of twisters has already made 2011 the deadliest year regarding tornadoes in over five decades. What may be even more disturbing is that the tornado-affected areas have the highest rate of homes without homeowner’s insurance. Consequently, some of the families who need the most insurance-related assistance do not have it and will have a harder time recouping their losses. While the federal government is able to offer some assistance, the law limits the amount of assistance it can provide to $30,300 per household.

When seeking flood restoration services, the Better Business Bureau warns storm victims to practice caution when hiring a contractor. After experiencing a flood, you may find people you do not know knocking at your door offering discounted flood repair services. These individuals may not be legitimate contractors but will claim FEMA or your insurance company sent them to your home or business. When done incorrectly, flood repair can result in the growth of dangerous molds, structural damage to a building, rot, the harboring of disease-carrying microorganisms, and ongoing damage to wet contents.

Hurricanes: They are some of the most incredible, damaging storms on earth. These enormous oceanic tempests form over warm waters; whip themselves into a rainy, windy frenzy; and bash themselves over coastlines. (Because these storms are water-fueled, they cannot long survive land.) Lives are lost, homes are destroyed and many businesses fail following a major hurricane. One of the most common causes of post-hurricane business failure is the loss of flood damaged documents.