WASHINGTON - President Bush has issued a federal disaster declaration for 20 North Dakota counties and two Indian reservations that have been hit hard by storms and flooding.

Gov. John Hoeven asked Bush to issue a federal disaster declaration earlier this month. Hoeven said there is more than $13 million worth of damage that is eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency help.

The funding will be available to state and eligible local governments, in addition to some private nonprofit organizations, for repair and replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms, flooding and ground saturation between June 1 and July 7.

Eligible counties include Benson, Bottineau, Cavalier, Dickey, Grand Forks, Griggs, Kidder, LaMoure, McHenry, Nelson, Pierce, Ramsey, Richland, Sargent, Sioux, Stark, Steele, Traill, Walsh and Ward.

The benefits also apply to the Turtle Mountain Chippewa and Standing Rock Sioux Indian reservations.

The declaration allows governments to pay only one-quarter of the repair costs for roads, bridges and other public works. Without the federal action, the local share would be higher.

The White House said that federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures around the state.

James McIntyre, a spokesman for FEMA, said there are no limits to the disaster fund.

"It's based on the eligible needs of the state," McIntyre said.

The White House also declared parts of South Dakota available for federal assistance, after severe storms caused damage in central and northeastern parts of the state in early June.