Though the July 3 storms didn't damage enough of Natrona County for residents and business owners to qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency aid, the U.S. Small Business Administration will offer low-interest federal disaster loans to residents and businesses affected by the flash flooding.

It was one of numerous remedies being pursued by Stewart Anderson, Natrona County emergency management coordinator, when Gov. Dave Freudenthal told Natrona County and Casper city officials last week the damage from the July 3 storm wasn't extensive enough to qualify for FEMA aid.

Anderson said members of Red Cross and other organizations will be at a disaster assistance center this week and next to help residents with various needs, from removing furniture to providing information on mold.

"We do have different non-profit organizations mustering folks to help with that," Anderson said. "We'll also have information on mold, mitigation and people from the national flood insurance program that we can also provide folks out there."

The center will be located in the Casper Room of the Agricultural Resource Learning Center at 2011 Fair Grounds Road and will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Saturday this week and the same hours Monday through Friday next week.

Reach city reporter Pete Nickeas at (307) 266-0639. You can read his blog at http://tribtown.trib.com/redtape.