By Associated Press
Washington, DC – President Barack Obama has declared nine Southern Illinois counties as disaster areas after a severe winter storm in late January.
The declaration makes federal funding available to state and local governments and some nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis. The money can be used for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the storm from Jan. 26-28.
Parts of Washington state and Oregon were also declared disaster areas after storms there.
In Illinois, the aid is available to: Alexander, Gallatin,
Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, and Union Counties.
The storm buried the region under as much as a half foot of snow and ice. Hundreds of schools closed, and thousands were left without power.
