Obama signs Montana disaster declaration

President Barack Obama has declared that a major disaster exists in Montana in the wake of flooding last month.

Obama said federal aid would supplement local and state recovery efforts.

Locally, the declaration affects Hill and Blaine counties and Rocky Boy's and Fort Belknap Indian reservations.

The White House said federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the flooding ..

Other areas affected by Obama's declaration are Chouteau, Custer, Dawson, Fergus, Garfield, McCone, Musselshell, Petroleum, Rosebud nd Valley counties and Fort Peck Indian Reservation.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and Tribes within the state.

  W. Craig Fugate, administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Thomas J. McCool as the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.