The County of Marin’s emergency proclamation, following the severe storm surges in early January, has made federal assistance available in the form of low interest disaster loans.

As of Friday, February 13, loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses, private nonprofits, and residents to offset physical and economic losses from the storm, flooding, and king tides that inundated parts of Marin from December 31, 2025 through January 5, 2026. 

The SBA, in collaboration with local agencies, has scheduled the opening of three Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC) to provide in-person support and application assistance to community members. The schedule is:

• Sausalito Parks & Recreation Center (420 Litho Street): February 13 (1-7 PM), February 17-20 (10:30 AM-7 PM)

• Marin County Office of Emergency Management (1600 Los Gamos Drive #300, San Rafael): February 23 (1-7 PM), February 24-27 (10:30 AM-7 PM)

• Stinson Beach Community Church (32 Belvedere Ave): March 2 (1-7 PM), March 3-6 (10:30 AM-7 PM) 

According to the SBA, eligible applicants can borrow to repair, or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. Homeowners and renters may borrow to replace or repair personal property such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. 

The application deadlines are April 6 for loans to cover physical damage and November 3 to cover economic injury. Those seeking relief can apply on the SBA website, call (800) 659-2955, or email the SBA customer service staff. 

County Executive Derek Johnson, acting as the County’s Director of Emergency Services, ordered Marin County’s emergency proclamation January 13 and cited conditions of extreme peril that resulted from storms and tidal surges. A copy of the proclamation was sent to the SBA, triggering the request for loan availability. The state filing also allowed the County to apply for federal and state aid to help pay for qualifying repairs.

Marin County OEM compiled damage reports after the storm. The reports showed that Marin met the state and federal thresholds for individual assistance through the SBA. County staff have continued to finalize cost details; preliminary damage estimates countywide – both for incorporated and unincorporated areas was approximately $4.35 million in combined losses and expenses. 

The storm led to rain-driven riverine runoff, storm surge, high winds, and record king tides, widespread coastal and inland flooding, levee failures, inundation of structures, road closures, utility disruption, landslides, hazardous materials releases, and displacement of residents. Residual impacts lasted several more weeks. 

Those who live or work in Marin are urged to register for AlertMarin, to receive local emergency notifications. Signing up for AlertMarin will prompt real-time updates during critical incidents. For additional resources and tips about how to get prepared before the next emergency, visit ReadyMarin.org.