The SBA said Wednesday it is working with FEMA and other agencies to find out which small businesses and homeowners will need recovery assistance from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

“Many communities are still feeling the effects of Superstorm Sandy, including power outages and flooding. The importance of listening to instructions and safety information from your local officials and FEMA cannot be understated,” the SBA said.

Federal response teams are already providing assistance to affected communities, the agency said, adding the SBA is closely coordinating with its federal partners to share information in the immediate aftermath of the storm.

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The SBA offered the following channels for updates and assistance:

• For the latest on the federal government's response to Sandy, read FEMA's blog or follow updates on Twitter.
• For emergency shelter, download the Red Cross Hurricane app, visit the Red Cross website, or check local media outlets. The SBA said you can register on the Red Cross Safe and Well website, a secure and easy-to-use online tool that helps families connect during emergencies.
• Persons can also download the FEMA smartphone app or text SHELTER and your zip code to 43362 (4FEMA). Standard rates apply.

The SBA said it plays an important role in disaster recovery efforts for businesses and homeowners. As disaster assessments and declarations are made, various SBA disaster recovery loan programs become available to eligible applicants. The agency said it continue to highlight these programs as communities turn to longer-term recovery efforts.

For more information about SBA's disaster assistance programs, visit www.sba.gov/disaster or call the disaster assistance center at 1-800-659-2955.