Escambia County has been added to the list of counties designated for disaster assistance to households as part of the state’s federal disaster declaration, Gov. Robert Bentley said Thursday.

That means 43 counties are now on the list.

“Adding Escambia County to the list of federal disaster counties will enable the citizens in Escambia County the maximum financial resources needed to rebuild their lives,” Bentley said.

Counties previously designated for individual assistance are Autauga, Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Colbert, Coosa, Cullman, DeKalb, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Hale, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marengo, Marion, Marshall, Monroe, Morgan, Perry, Pickens, Shelby, Sumter, St. Clair, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Washington, Walker and Winston.

“We are confident the federal assistance provided by FEMA will help Escambia county families rebuild and recover,” said AEMA Director Art Faulkner.  “It is important for residents to start the registration process as quickly as possible.”

All 67 Alabama counties are eligible for FEMA assistance with debris removal due to April tornadoes as well as reimbursement for emergency protective measures taken during the storms.

Affected survivors and business owners in all designated counties should apply for assistance by calling FEMA’s toll-free registration number, 800-621-FEMA (3362).  The hearing or speech impaired can use the TTY line at 800-462-7585. The registration lines are available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time. An application may also be completed online by going to www.disasterassistance.gov.