Mass. Officials: Tornado Damage Enough For Federal Aid

State disaster officials say tornado-damaged communities in central and western Massachusetts will qualify for federal aid.

Peter Judge, of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, has documented at least $25 million in damage so far — well past the $8.3 million threshold needed.

"That includes damage to public buildings, to infrastructure, roads, bridges," Judge said, "as well as overtime costs that communities and state agencies have used to respond to the event."

State officials expect to submit a federal aid request in the next day or so.

"When in fact we do get the declaration it will spell out what sort of programs are available," Judge said. "Then almost immediately the folks from MEMA and the Small Business Administration, etc., will be coming to the commonwealth."

Communities, individuals and businesses would all then be able to apply for aid.