The White House on Thursday declared the June storms that left left flooded roads, massive debris and the largest electrical outage in the state's history a major disaster, making the cost of repairs in 18 counties eligible for federal help.

Gov. Mark Dayton and eight members of Minnesota's Congressional delegation -- U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Al Franken, Reps. Collin Peterson, Michele Bachmann, Keith Ellison, Tim Walz, Rick Nolan and Erik Paulsen -- had asked for the federal declaration.

From the White House:

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Minnesota and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of June 20-26, 2013.

Federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding in the counties of Benton, Big Stone, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, McLeod, Morrison, Pope, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, and Wilkin.

The MInnesota Department of Public Safety said, "preliminary damage assessments determined the storms caused $17.8 million in damage to public infrastructure across the state." State and federal officials estimated that $9 million worth of road and bridge repair and $5 million worth of debris removal will be eligible for federal help.

Read Dayton's letter requesting the declaration:

07 17 2013 Obama Barack President Disaster Relief Request by Rachel E. Stassen-Berger