On Friday, President Barack Obama granted Gov. John Lynch's request for a major disaster declaration of flood damaged Cheshire County.

The announcement comes a week after Lynch requested the declaration to help pay the costs the state and communities incurred as a result of heavy rains on May 29 that caused flooding and severe road damage on several Cheshire County roads.

Lynch toured the devastated areas last week with assessment teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“The flooding caused major road washouts, extensive debris and damage to state and local road infrastructure and facilities. This declaration will make available federal aid to help the state and communities with the expense of repairing roads and other infrastructure,” Lynch said in a statement. “We appreciate the President's quick action on this request.”

Last week local communities and the department of transportation estimated damage in Cheshire County to be more than $3 million, meeting the threshold for FEMA funds.

During the storm 6 to 9 inches of rain fell in a short period of time. The worst hit communities were Keene, Gilsum, Sullivan and Surry in which numerous residents were isolated when flood waters washed out their roads. Seven state roads were also closed by washouts including Route 10 in Gilsum and Centre Street in Sullivan.