WHITEVILLE – On April 21, President Obama declared a major disaster in North Carolina based on losses caused by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred on April 16.

As a result of this major disaster, eight counties were declared eligible for federal disaster assistance, including Farm Service Agency emergency loans for eligible family farmers. Robeson County is included in the primary counties.

In addition to those 8 primary disaster counties, 24 additional counties are named as contiguous counties where eligible family farmers may qualify for FSA emergency loan assistance, in accordance with the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. The following counties are included as contiguous: Bladen, Columbus and Scotland.

Dean Sasser, farm loan manager, said that effective April 21, farmers in the above named counties may apply for emergency loans for physical and production losses.

December 21 is the deadline for filing an application.

The Farm Service Agency office is at 45C Government Complex Road in Whiteville. The office is open Monday through Friday, and office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.

Also, a designation for South Carolina based on damages and losses caused by drought, extreme heat and weather-related insect infestations that occurred from May 1 and continuing remains open.

The contiguous counties for this designation are Brunswick, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland. The deadline for filing an application for an emergency loan under this designation is Sept. 14.