USDA Resources 

• Farmer and Rancher Assistance - In counties designated as primary disaster areas, as well as contiguous counties, low-interest emergency loans are available for qualified farm operators. Indemnity payments may be available for those with Federal Crop Insurance and for those covered by the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. For more information on these programs, contact your local FSA Service Center or go to http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov. For Hurricane Charley, there was $2.5 billion in federal crop insurance in place in the affected counties. Farmers should contact their crop insurance agents for specific claim information. USDA's Risk Management Agency works closely with insurance providers to assess losses and expedite the payment of covered claims as quickly as possible.

• Housing Assistance - USDA Rural Development helps borrowers who are victims of a disaster to recover from the financial hardship and to minimize potential delinquency or liquidation. For more information go to: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/disasters/disassistance.html#disauth

• Rural Business Programs - Numerous USDA Business Programs can be of assistance in providing financial relief to small businesses as a result of natural disasters. For information visit: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/disasters/disassistance.html#regauth

• Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants - Rural communities with a significant decline in quantity or quality of drinking water may be eligible for grants for emergency repairs or replacement of facilities on existing systems. Go to:
  http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/disasters/disassistance.html#emergency

Source:  USDA Release No. 0339.04 - Hurricane Charley, August 2004