Gov. Baker Seeks Federal Disaster Declaration For Snowstorms

Gov. Charlie Baker's administration plans to seek about $400 million in federal disaster assistance for the record-setting snowstorms that wreaked havoc on Massachusetts.

An administration official tells The Associated Press that the governor will be sending a letter to President Barack Obama by the end of this week asking for a disaster declaration for 10 Massachusetts counties. That covers roughly 250 cities and towns.

The request seeks 75 percent reimbursement to cities and towns and other government agencies for the costs of snow removal and other damage caused by the storms.

The letter will ask that the several weeks of severe weather that began in late January be treated as a single incident.

Massachusetts' four westernmost counties, which were less severely impacted, won't be covered by the disaster request.