Eight parishes in Louisiana have been designated natural disaster areas following a severe winter storm that occurred Jan. 23–27, 2026, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The designation triggers Presidential Disaster Declaration M4900 Amendment 1 and allows the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency to offer emergency loans to eligible farmers and producers.
The loans can help agricultural producers recover from disaster-related losses by replacing equipment or livestock, reorganizing farming operations, or refinancing certain debts. Loan applications will be reviewed based on the extent of losses, available security and repayment ability.
The primary parishes eligible in Louisiana are Bienville, De Soto, East Carroll, Franklin, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland and West Carroll. Several surrounding counties in Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas, along with additional Louisiana parishes, are also eligible as contiguous areas.
Farmers and producers have until Nov. 4, 2026, to apply for emergency loan assistance through the USDA Farm Service Agency.