Farmers and ranchers in Warren County who suffered damage to from heavy rains and flash flooding since April may be eligible for emergency available through the Yazoo County Office of the Farm Service Agency, said William L. Leflore Jr., FSA acting farm loan manager.

Leflore said the loan authority is allowed under a Sept. 29 declaration by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, claiming a major disaster in Mississippi caused by rain, flash flooding, and flooding beginning April 1.

The declaration includes damage from the spring Mississippi River flood.

Warren County has been designated a primary natural disaster area under the declaration and eligible for federal disaster assistance pursuant under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.

To determine if they qualify, FSA spokeswoman Glynda Boatner said farmers must contact FSA to receive an application, complete it and send it back to the FSA office in Yazoo City.

Applications for assistance in the disaster-stricken county will be accepted by FSA through May 29, 2018.

Farmers qualifying for emergency loans may borrow up to 100 percent of their actual production loss or the amount needed to restore their operation to its pre-disaster condition, whichever is less.

The new emergency loan and outstanding principal balance of any existing emergency loan owed by the applicant or any individual member of an entity cannot exceed $500,000.00.

FSA emergency loans cover losses from designated disasters and are made to qualified farmers who cannot obtain credit from other lenders in the local area.

Applications can be obtained by writing the FSA office at 220 Wyeth Lane Suite A, Yazoo City MS 39194, or by calling 66-746-8358.