Federal assistance has been approved for the recovery of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, which sustained heavy damage during a major rainstorm last week.
President Barack Obama approved the funding Tuesday, a day after Gov. Rick Scott formally requested a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance. Officials say additional counties might be included in the request as damage assessments continue.
With the president's approval, residents in the designated areas will be eligible to receive federal disaster relief funds.
Florida Panhandle residents and business owners are still cleaning up the flood-damaged area. Nearly 2 feet of rain drenched Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in the span of about 24 hours Wednesday.
Burst water pipes in Gulf Breeze compounded flooding from the rain, and receding waters exposed buckled roadways.
