USDA Designates Counties in Delaware as Primary Natural Disaster Areas Due to Freeze and Frost; Additional Contiguous Areas in Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania

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.

Impacted Area: Delaware

Triggering Disaster: Damage and losses caused by freeze and frost that occurred from April 20 through April 22, 2026

Application Deadline: 03/10/2027

Primary Counties Eligible: Kent, New Castle, Sussex.

Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:

Maryland: Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Wicomico, Worcester.

New Jersey: Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem.

Pennsylvania: Chester, Delaware.

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.