North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue received a federal disaster declaration on Tuesday from Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate for the snow and ice storms that struck the foothills and mountains, including Caldwell County, in December.

The declaration will provide more than $9 million in federal funds available to eligible state agencies, 13 county governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and needed repairs to facilities damaged by the winter storm.

"The federal declaration has come at an opportune time and will help our communities recover from their losses," said Perdue, who had requested the FEMA assistance. "Many of these same counties incurred additional costs last weekend responding to our most recent snow and ice storm."

The disaster declaration covers Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Haywood, Jackson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Watauga and Yancey counties. Watauga and Madison counties incurred the most damage. Preliminary damage assessments indicate costs to recover from the back-to-back December winter storms will exceed $12.5 million.

Utility restoration accounts for more than half of the total bill, while debris removal accounts for about one third of the total cost. The N.C. Division of Emergency Management estimates the state will pay $3.1 million to recover from the winter storms; federal funds will cover the remaining costs.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

"Our local and state emergency management, law enforcement and transportation officials have worked tirelessly this winter responding to numerous storms, particularly in the mountains," Perdue said. "As North Carolinians, we can all be proud of these emergency response teams that work so hard to keep us safe."

The winter storms that began Dec. 18 blanketed much of the western part of the state with up to two feet of snow in a 48-hour period. The heavy snowfall stranded a number of motorists for hours. Ice and snow from the storm knocked down trees, damaged roads and bridges and caused widespread power outages for thousands. Heavy rains caused flooding and icing a week later, downing more trees and leading to additional power outages.