President Obama has issued a major disaster declaration for Northwestern Wisconsin, opening the door for federal money to be used to repair public infrastructure in the wake of destructive flooding in July.

It was a month ago that rounds of strong thunderstorms started moving across the region, dropping in excess of 10 inches of rain in some locations and causing widespread damage and several fatalities.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency reported that this week's declaration "makes federal funding available to state, tribal (and) local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities" damaged by the July 11-12 storms and flooding.

The declaration covers Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Florence, Iron, Sawyer and Washburn counties, and the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

"This declaration allows local governments affected by the July floods to apply for assistance, which will help communities recover some of the costs incurred through fighting the floods and repairing infrastructure such as roads and removing debris," Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said in a news release. "We will continue to work with the communities to help them quickly recover from the flooding."

In some cases, FEMA now will cover 75 percent of eligible costs of infrastructure repairs, while state and local agencies will share the remaining 25 percent.

Walker had made the request for a federal disaster declaration last week, after a damage assessment conducted by local, state and federal officials.

State officials, in requesting the federal declaration, estimated more than $25 million in flood damage to public infrastructure - not including damage to homes and businesses.

The flooding caused dozens of washouts; among the highways closed by washouts were U.S. Highway 2 between Ashland and Hurley; U.S. Highway 63 near Grand View in Bayfield County; and State Highway 13 between Ashland and Mellen.

Highway 2 has since reopened; repair work on Highway 63 is slated to be completed this week; and detours remain in place for Highway 13.

Among the hardest-hit counties was Iron County - in particular the Saxon Harbor marina and campground, which was largely destroyed by floodwaters from Oronto Creek. One man died from the flooding at Saxon Harbor, and dozens of boats were damaged or destroyed.

In a Facebook post Wednesday, officials with Saxon Harbor welcomed the federal declaration as "the key to being able to rebuild" - but said it will be at least two years before the popular Lake Superior marina and campground are fully open again. Saxon Harbor remains closed to the public for the rest of the season.

On the Bad River Reservation, efforts are underway to repair homes and maintain the band's traditions.

The tribe is working with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation on road repairs. Forty-six homes were damaged by the flooding, with at least nine destroyed.

Bad River Flood Command Center spokesman Dylan Jennings said people lost more than their homes.

"They also lost material things that we take for granted every day," he said. "Everything from picture albums to ceremonial things."

Jennings said earlier this week that displaced families remain with relatives or at the Bad River tribe's nearby lodge and casino. Long-term housing plans are still in the works.

This year's crop of wild rice is still uncertain, Jennings said. But, he said they're continuing to clean up the pow wow grounds for their annual "manoomin" or wild rice celebration this month.

"We still have to acknowledge that spirit for everything that it has done for us over the years and over the many generations that our people have been in this area," he said. "A big thing is to give thanks to everybody and everything that has been watching over this community and acknowledging all of the help and assistance we've received during this trying time."

Wisconsin Public Radio contributed to this report. Wisconsin Public Radio can be heard in the Twin Ports at 91.3 FM or online at wpr.org/news.