INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved a disaster declaration for 11 southern Indiana counties hit by a wave of severe storms in August.

The declaration covers Clark, Floyd, Jennings, Bartholomew, Decatur, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott and Washington counties.

Qualified homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit groups in those counties can apply for low-interest loans to replace damaged or destroyed real estate, business assets and personal property.

They can apply for loans ranging from $40,000 to $2 million.

The federal aid announced Monday follows severe storms that dumped up to 10 inches of rain in some locations of southern and central Indiana between Aug. 4-9.

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