St. Paul , MN (KROC-AM News) - Governor Mark Dayton has formally requested that President Obama declare a major disaster in parts of Minnesota that were hit by heavy rainstorms and flooding last month.

A federal disaster declaration would extend federal assistance to local governments and certain nonprofit organizations to help cover the cost of repairing storm-related damage to public infrastructure. Assistance would also be available to cover the costs of cleaning up debris and expenses incurred during the emergency response to the storms and the following flooding that occurred between September 21st and the 24th. In certain cases, federal assistance could be made available to individuals with flood-related losses.

23 Minnesota counties, including Olmsted County, were covered by a state of emergency declared by the governor in the days that followed the heavy rains.

preliminary assessment found $8.3 million in eligible damage to the public infrastructure and another $10 million in damage to homes and other individual losses.

More From Y-105FM