The storm froze much of the state Jan. 26 and 27 with ice and sleet that damaged power lines and trees and left more than 260,000 people without electricity, some for up to a week.

Sanford declared a state of emergency on Jan. 26 and ordered state offices in 37 counties closed.

State and local government employees worked a number of overtime hours to keep roads clear of ice and debris, he wrote in the Feb. 5 letter. Several utilities also had damages and relied on support from nearby utilities for power restoration efforts.

"I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and the effected local governments and that supplementary federal assistance is necessary," Sanford wrote.

Expenses from the storm are expected to total more than $28 million, Sanford wrote.