Obama declares 20 Minnesota counties disaster areas

President Obama granted a major disaster declaration for 20 Minnesota counties affected by spring storms and flooding.

The declaration will allow state and local governments and some nonprofit organizations to receive federal funding to help pay for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms and flooding. Gov. Mark Dayton requested the declaration last month.

The declaration includes 20 counties: Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Clay, Grant, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lyon, McLeod, Nicollet, Redwood, Renville, Scott, Sibley, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin and Yellow Medicine.

It covers severe storms and flooding beginning on March 16. FEMA said it may recommend additional designations if needed.