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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 8, 2026
USDA Designates 20 Counties in Florida as Primary Natural Disaster Areas Due to Winter Storm
This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.
Application Deadline: Dec. 31, 2026
Triggering Disaster #1 – Freeze and frost that occurred during Jan. 23, 2026, through Feb. 5, 2026
Primary Florida Counties Eligible: DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Manatee, St Johns, Sarasota, Seminole, and Volusia
Contiguous Florida Counties Also Eligible: Brevard, Charlotte, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Highlands, Lake, Marion, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Putnam
Triggering Disaster #2- Freeze, frost, and ice that occurred during Jan. 23, 2026, through Feb. 5, 2026
Primary Florida Counties Eligible: Bay, Holmes, and Washington
Contiguous Florida Counties Also Eligible: Calhoun, Gulf, Jackson, and Walton
Triggering Disaster #3 – Freeze, frost, ice, and high winds that occurred during Jan. 23, 2026, through Feb. 5, 2026
Primary Florida Counties Eligible: Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Polk
Contiguous Florida Counties Also Eligible:Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Manatee, Marion, Okeechobee, Pasco, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia
Triggering Disaster #4 – Freeze, frost, and high winds that occurred during Jan. 23, 2026, through Feb. 5, 2026
Primary Florida Counties Eligible: Baker, Marion, Miami-Dade, and Union
Contiguous Florida Counties Also Eligible: Alachua, Bradford, Broward, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Duval, Lake, Levy, Monroe, Nassau, Putnam, Sumter, and Volusia
More Resources
On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool can help you determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center.