May 25, 2013
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Obama has declared 11 Florida counties a disaster area for damage sustained during Tropical Storm Isaac.
The declaration signed Thursday makes federal funding available to state and local governments.
Isaac hit Florida in late August. The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied Gov. Rick Scott's request for funding in September.
Scott moved to appeal the decision. He said the damage was about $10 million worse than originally thought. Damage from Isaac is estimated at 36.6 million.
It was unclear why the decision was reversed.
The following counties are now eligible for federal funding: Bay, Collier, Escambia, Franklin, Martin, Monroe, Okaloosa, Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Santa Rose counties.
