WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has authorized federal disaster funds for Maryland and the District of Columbia to offset the costs of responding to a major snowstorm in January.

[related_gallery align=”right”]The declaration means that federal aid will be available to communities in D.C. and in Maryland through state and local agencies, and public safety agencies.

The blizzard on Jan. 22 and 23 dumped more than two feet of snow, bringing the region to a stand still.

D.C. has an annual snow-removal budget of $6 million and spent more than $50 million in the aftermath of the storm. The federal funds will be available to the city through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In Baltimore, which budgeted less than $3 million for snow removal for 2016, the cost of January’s storm is projected to be as high as $17 million.