PORTLAND – President Bush on Thursday declared an emergency in Maine and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local efforts in areas hit by heavy snow last month.

For a storm on March 11-12, federal funding will be available to the state and eligible local governments in Androscoggin, Cumberland and Oxford counties.

Those counties, as well as eight others, are also eligible for federal aid from a storm that hit on Feb. 10-11. Cumberland and York counties are eligible for aid from a storm on Jan. 22-23.

Assistance is available to state and local governments on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures that were undertaken to save lives and protect public health, safety and property.