LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved federal disaster assistance for seven Nebraska counties struck by severe weather, including the tornado-ravaged town of Pilger.

SBA spokesman Rick Jenkins said Thursday that residents of those counties may be eligible for low-interest, fixed-rate federal loans to help them rebuild. The agency will have staff members on-site to work with residents.

The approved counties are Stanton, Colfax, Cuming, Madison, Pierce, Platte and Wayne.

Gov. Dave Heineman submitted the request after the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced this week that five Nebraska counties weren’t eligible for individual home and business assistance. The aid was denied in part because of the amount of privately insured property in the area.

The Pilger tornado was one of four that touched down in northeast Nebraska on June 16.