SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California is asking the U.S. Small Business Administration to declare a disaster for two counties struck by large earthquakes last month.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday he’s asking the agency to declare Kern and San Bernardino counties a disaster area, which would make low-interest loans available to people whose homes and businesses suffered damage.

A magnitude-7.1 quake centered near Ridgecrest rocked the Mojave Desert region east of Los Angeles on July 5. It was preceded by a 6.4-temblor and followed by thousands of aftershocks.

Authorities have said the quakes – the largest to hit the region in decades – caused about $100 million damage to Ridgecrest and nearby Trona.

The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services says a survey found that more than 100 homes or businesses had large uninsured losses.