AUGUSTA - Gov. John Baldacci has asked the federal government for help paying for storm damage in Androscoggin, Cumberland and York counties this month.

The three counties sustained nearly $2.9 million in damages, mostly to roads, between Aug. 8 and Aug. 16.

"All of northern New England has seen extraordinary weather this summer, and Maine is no exception," Baldacci said in a statement. "These storms, coming on top of ground that was already saturated, literally tore roads apart."

The Towns of Freeport and Lebanon received almost $600,000 worth of damage in a single day. State roads in Androscoggin County sustained over $1 million in damages, and the small town of Minot had extensive road washouts.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency would reimburse state and local governments for 75 percent of the cost of repairs if Baldacci's request is granted.

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