Virginia Gets Federal Disaster Declaration

President Obama has declared a disaster for parts of Virginia affected by a February snowstorm, clearing the way for federal aid.

Federal funding is available to state and local governments and some private nonprofit organizations pay for damage to public infrastructure, debris removal and related emergency services.

The Virginia Department of Transportation spent more than $200 million clearing snow from the state’s highways during several winter storms.

Some parts of northern and northwestern Virginia got more than 3 feet of snow in early February, then an additional 5 to 15 inches days later.