Obama Declares 11 Fla. Counties Disaster Areas

WASHINGTON (CBSMiami/AP) — President Obama has declared 11 Florida counties a disaster area for damage sustained during Tropical Storm Isaac including Monroe County in South Florida.

The declaration signed Thursday makes federal funding available to state local governments.

Isaac hit Florida in late August. The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied Gov. Rick Scott's request for funding in September. Isaac hit Florida in late August.

Scott moved to appeal the decision. He said the damage was about $10 million worse than originally thought. Damage from Isaac is estimated at $36.6 million.

It's unclear why the decision was reversed.

The following counties are now eligible for federal funding: Bay, Collier, Escambia, Franklin, Martin, Monroe, Okaloosa, Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Santa Rose counties.

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