Two Vermont counties have been declared federal disaster areas because of damage from a major ice storm that hit the state between Dec. 11 and Dec. 18.
The declaration by President George Bush covers damage in Bennington and Windham counties. State and local governments and some nonprofit agencies in those counties will be eligible for money to help repair or replace facilities damaged in the storm.
Much of the repair work has already been done. Communities will be able to apply for funds to cover up to 75 percent of the repair costs.
More than 40,000 Vermont electric customers were left without power by the storm. Some homes were without power for almost a week.