President Joe Biden on Thursday approved Gov. Kathy Hochul's request for a major disaster declaration to provide aid for several New York counties impacted by severe weather earlier this summer.

Federal assistance will be on the way for Cortland, Essex, Hamilton, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties, which saw severe storms, flooding and tornados from July 10 to July 11.

The National Weather Service confirmed tornados touched down in Virgil in Cortland County and Piesco and Wells in Hamilton County, while parts of Lewis County saw significant damage as well.

The declaration secures financial assistance from the federal government for state and local governments, along with certain nonprofits, to aid in emergency work and repairs, according to the White House. The governor's office says this includes repairs to roads, bridges, water and wastewater treatment facilities, critical infrastructure sites, schools, parks and other facilities. As part of the declaration, the governor's office says New York has also been granted access to FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representative Lai Sun Yee has been named to lead the federal response. 

"The effects of Hurricane Beryl caused extreme damage across Upstate New York this month, and I'm thankful President Biden has approved my request for a Major Disaster Declaration," Hochul said in a statement. "My administration will work directly with FEMA in the coming weeks to ensure our local government partners receive the critical funding they need to begin the recovery and rebuilding process."

The governor announced in late-July that up to $11 million in emergency assistance would be made available to eligible homeowners and municipalities impacted storms from July 10-16.