Eight northern and north-central Idaho counties have been approved for federal disaster declarations, allowing federal funds to help with flood recovery efforts.  

Estimated total damages to public infrastructure in Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Shoshone and Valley counties are more than $9.6 million, Gov. Butch Otter said. “I have been traveling around the state surveying flood-related damages since January, and I can tell you the worst is not over,” Otter said in a statement. “As the record snowpack continues to melt, communities throughout Idaho will continue to face serious challenges. We are grateful that President Trump signed this second declaration so recovery on this flooding event can begin immediately.”

Idaho earlier got a federal disaster declaration for 11 southern Idaho counties hit by severe winter storms and flooding from Feb. 5 through March 3, but the state was rejected in its first bid for a disaster declaration for southwestern Idaho counties damaged by heavy winter snow.