NATCHEZ — Adams County is moving closer to the potential of receiving federal aid.

In a press release from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, Gov. Haley Barbour expanded his request for a federal disaster declaration.

Barbour is requesting public assistance in a total of 20 counties — Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Copiah, Forrest, Franklin, George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jefferson-Davis, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marion, Pearl River, Pike, Stone, Walthall and Wilkinson counties.

Public assistance means getting monies for debris removal, reimbursing for overtime costs for personnel and funding repairs of public infrastructure and buildings.

Barbour is also asking for full reimbursement for preliminary preparation actions taken 72 hours before Gustav hit.

Adams County Emergency Management Director Stan Owens said its nice to have the governor’s support.

“I’m not sure how it will ensure it or speed it up but I know it will be a factor in the decision,” Owens said.

He said, also, just on a local level it was an honor to have Barbour come to the county.

Preliminary damage assessments are still continuing. Because so many counties in Mississippi were impacted by the storm, it is taking a longer time to fully assess the state.

But right now, Gustav’s damage is expected to exceed $78 million.

The county is still waiting on the presidential declaration of a disaster zone.

That will then bring in the federal aid.

Federal assistance to individuals will then open up and be announced later as to how to collect funds.