Disaster Declared In 6 Counties

President Clinton on Thursday declared six counties in north-central and northwest Montana to be major disaster areas because of flooding and freeze damage in March.

The declaration covers Toole, Hill, Liberty, Blaine, Phillips and Flathead counties.

The president’s action was announced by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., who called it “a real victory for folks in counties that have been hit hard.”

The declaration covers flood and freeze damage brought on by heavy snows and extreme cold, followed by rapid thaws, in early and mid March.

Local governments in the six counties are eligible to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for federal assistance that will pay 75 percent of the damage caused to public works such as roads, bridges and water and sewer systems.

The federal funds cannot be used to fix damage to private property.