USDA Programs Ready to Assist Those Impacted by Tropical Storms Marco and Laura

The USDA is reminding communities, farmers and ranchers, families, and small businesses in the path of Tropical Storms Marco and Laura that they have assistance programs to help. USDA staff in regional, state, and county offices are ready and eager to help in the wake of natural disasters. USDA partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other disaster-focused organizations to create the Disaster Resource Center. The center’s website and web tool now provide an easy access point to find USDA disaster information and assistance. The USDA also developed a disaster assistance discovery tool specifically targeted to rural and agricultural issues. The tool walks producers through five questions that generate personalized results identifying which USDA disaster assistance programs can help them best recover from a natural disaster. USDA also encourages residents and small businesses in impact zones to contact their local USDA offices to help meet their individual needs. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is urging those in the potential path of the storms to prepare now, not just for yourselves but for livestock and pets too.