WASHINGTON – President Trump Sunday approved a major disaster declaration for the state of Florida to speed up federal funds to Hurricane Irma-damaged areas.

Requested by Florida Gov. Rick Scott, the declaration will release funds to the counties of Charlotte, Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Pinellas and Sarasota.

Federal funds will help residents with temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, according to the White House.

Meanwhile FEMA Adminstrator Brock Long named Justo Hernández as the Federal Coordinating Officer to lead the recovery effort for Hurricane Irma in the affected areas.

Residents hard-hit by the ongoing storm can apply for federal help by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.