(ABC 6 News) – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced Saturday that 22 counties have been approved for a federal disaster declaration by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for severe flooding over the last two weeks.

The declaration will provide resources to reimburse communities for debris removal, emergency protective measures and the repair and replacement of damaged infrastructure.

This announcement comes after Governor Walz sent a letter to the President requesting a Presidential Disaster Declaration. Friday, Governor Walz and FEMA Regional Administrator Tom Sivak provided an update on the state’s flood outlook and ongoing emergency response.

“I’ve seen the damage across our state firsthand – it’s going to take a united effort at every level of government to quickly rebuild and recover. This assistance is going to make all the difference in that recovery,” said Governor Walz. “I’m grateful to our partners in the federal government for doing their part, just as Minnesotans have done theirs, filling tens of thousands of sandbags, checking in on their neighbors, and volunteering their time.”

The counties approved for public assistance include:

• Blue Earth
• Carver
• Cass
• Cook
• Cottonwood
• Faribault
• Fillmore
• Freeborn
• Goodhue
• Jackson
• Lake
• Le Sueur
• Murray
• Nobles
• Pipestone
• Rice
• Rock
• St. Louis
• Steele
• Wabasha
• Waseca
• Watonwan

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) led the entire bipartisan Minnesota congressional delegation in urging President Biden to approve Minnesota’s request.

“Across our state, these floods have inflicted serious damage and we must all work together to recover,” said Senator Klobuchar. “I am glad the Administration swiftly took action on our request so that our state can receive critical federal disaster relief funds.”

“Minnesotans are struggling right now — these floods have turned people’s worlds upside down. I appreciate the swift declaration from President Biden following our request for aid,” said Senator Smith. “Minnesota needs help, and the federal government is answering. These unlocked resources will make an important difference as communities get back on their feet and we work to rebuild.”

Damage assessments are ongoing and additional counties and forms of assistance may be added once the assessments are completed.

Read Governor Walz’s letter to President Biden here: