ST. PAUL — Gov. Mark Dayton is asking President Barack Obama to declare a disaster in Minnesota as a result of heavy rainstorms and flooding late last month.

A presidential disaster declaration would pave the way for federal aid to help local governments, schools and some nonprofits deal with what Dayton says is widespread damage in southern Minnesota from storms Sept. 21-22. Dayton says the state also might be eligible for federal aid for individuals and households impacted by flooding.

Federal, state, and local officials who conducted damage assessments found $8.3 million in eligible public infrastructure damage and $10.1 million in estimated individual and household needs.