WASHINGTON -- The Small Business Administration acknowledges itwas "overwhelmed" in the aftermath of the 2005 Gulf Coasthurricanes, but the agency said it's ready this time after a majorrestructuring of its disaster assistance program.

Its Disaster Credit Management System can now handle 8,000simultaneous users, four times the processing capability since2005's hurricanes, according to SBA. The agency says it can alsonow draw from a pool of 3,000 experienced individuals who canquickly staff up disaster offices with approximately 900 of theseindividuals having signed up as reservists and are available toreport with 48 hours notice. Fifteen-person integrated teams nowoversee the disbursement process work flow where each function isrepresented, with authority and competency to make decisions,ensure accountability, and manage for results, according to SBA.Non-disaster staff can now be deployed to surge scenarios to handleloan demand.

The SBA said of the $6.9 billion in approved loans requested byborrowers a net $5.1 billion has been fully disbursed in the Gulf,and $.5 billion has been partially disbursed. Approximately $1.3billion in additional commitments are available.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recentlyreleased its prediction that the upcoming 2007 hurricane seasonwill have above average activity. - [email protected]