WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) – President Barack Obama declared Tuesday that a major disaster exists in the State of West Virginia and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts.

Several regions of West Virginia were impacted by a severe winter storm and snowstorm during the period of December 18-20, 2009.

Federal funding is available to the State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm and snowstorm in the counties of Boone, Calhoun, Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Kanawha, McDowell, Mingo, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Ritchie, Roane, and Wyoming.

Assistance is available to the State and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures, including snow assistance, for a continuous 48-hour period during or proximate to the incident period.

Federal Emergency Management Agency said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.