By Alabama Public Radio
Washington, DC – President Bush has declared major disasters in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida. The action makes residents of those states eligible for grants and low-cost loans. The federal assistance will provide aid for eligible private citizens affected by the storms in the following counties: Baldwin, Butler, Clarke, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Escambia, Geneva, Mobile, Monroe and Washington. The declaration includes public assistance for state and local governments for debris removal and emergency protective measures in 32 counties. They are: Autauga, Baldwin, Bibb, Butler, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Coffee, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dallas, Elmore, Escambia, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lowndes, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Shelby, Sumter, Talladega, Tuscaloosa, Washington and Wilcox.