State to receive federal disaster assistance money

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. - President Bush has declared a federal disaster for seven Upstate counties in the wake of last month's ice storm.

The declaration means that government agencies, non-profits and electric cooperatives can apply for federal reimbursement for costs incurred during the disaster.

State and federal emergency officials estimate the storm cost governments and utilities $9.6 million

The disaster assistance will not extend to private homeowners or businesses. The state insurance News Service has estimated private homes and businesses sustained at least $5 million in losses.

"People across the Upstate struggled as a result of this storm," Gov. Mark Sanford said in a press release. "Securing these federal dollars is one more important step in the process of making sure the state does whatever it can to help out in the recovery from this disaster."

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