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President Bush has declared Iowa a major disaster area after winter storms ripped through the state in late February and early March.

The declaration makes federal funding available to 46 of Iowa's 99 counties, including Lee, Des Moines, Henry and Van Buren counties

Senator Charles Grassley says the funds will help Iowans recover from storms that packed two punches.

Under the president's declaration, federal funding is available to state and local governments and some nonprofit organizations. It can be used for emergency work and repair and replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storms, which hit the state during a period from Feb. 23 through March 2.