Obama Declares Disaster for D.C. After Earthquake

President Barack Obama has signed a disaster declaration for the District of Columbia as a result of an earthquake this summer.

Tuesday’s declaration comes in response to a request from Mayor Vincent Gray. It makes federal funding available to repair buildings damaged by the 5.8-magnitude quake, which shook the nation’s capital on Aug. 23.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency funds can also go toward preparing for future emergencies.

Gray says the money is needed to repair schools and other government buildings as well as the Washington National Cathedral, which sustained extensive damage. Initial repairs to the cathedral are expected to cost $15 million. The Gray administration says government facilities sustained $6.8 million in damage.