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.

Triggering Disaster #1

Impacted Area: Florida

Triggering Disaster: Freeze and frost that occurred during Jan. 23, 2026, through Feb. 5, 2026

Application Deadline: Dec. 31, 2026

Primary Counties Eligible:

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• Florida: DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Manatee, St Johns, Sarasota, Seminole, and Volusia

Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:

• Florida: Brevard, Charlotte, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Highlands, Lake, Marion, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Putnam

Triggering Disaster #2

Impacted Area: Florida and Alabama

Triggering Disaster: Freeze, frost, and ice that occurred during Jan. 23, 2026, through Feb. 5, 2026

Application Deadline: Dec. 31, 2026

Primary Counties Eligible:

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• Florida: Bay, Holmes, and Washington

Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:

• Florida: Calhoun, Gulf, Jackson, and Walton

• Alabama: Geneva

Triggering Disaster #3

Impacted Area: Florida

Triggering Disaster: Freeze, frost, ice, and high winds that occurred during Jan. 23, 2026, through Feb. 5, 2026

Application Deadline: Dec. 31, 2026

Primary Counties Eligible:

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• Florida: Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Polk

Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:

• Florida: Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Manatee, Marion, Okeechobee, Pasco, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia

Triggering Disaster #4

Impacted Area: Florida and Georgia

Triggering Disaster: Freeze, frost, and high winds that occurred during Jan. 23, 2026, through Feb. 5, 2026

Application Deadline: Dec. 31, 2026

Primary Counties Eligible:

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• Florida: Baker, Marion, Miami-Dade, and Union

Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:

• Florida: Alachua, Bradford, Broward, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Duval, Lake, Levy, Monroe, Nassau, Putnam, Sumter, and Volusia

• Georgia: Charlton, Clinch, and Ware

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.