Obama signs disaster declaration for Connecticut

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — President Barack Obama has signed a disaster declaration for Connecticut, ordering federal aid to help cover the cost of state and local recovery efforts during the severe February winter storm.

The president announced Thursday that federal funding will be available to the state and eligible local governments and certain private, nonprofit agencies in all eight counties for emergency work and repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the storm that hit Feb. 8-11.

The Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nations will also be eligible for assistance.

Federal assistance is also being made available to state and eligible local governments in six counties for snow assistance during a 48-hour incident period. Funding will be provided for a 72-hour incident period in Hartford and New Haven counties, extra assistance the state requested.