Governor Baker seeking disaster relief for Bristol County, five others

Governor Charlie Baker is seeking federal disaster relief for six Massachusetts counties hit hardest by the March 2-3 nor’easter that pounded the region with hurricane-force wind and rain along with downed trees in Bristol county and other parts of the state.

The governor on Monday asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a major disaster declaration for Essex, Plymouth, Norfolk, Barnstable, and Nantucket counties in addition to Bristol.

Baker said preliminary estimates show emergency protective measures, debris clearance, and repairing or replacing damaged public infrastructure exceed $23.8 million — well beyond the statewide threshold of $9.5 million.

Baker is also seeking a disaster declaration from the federal Small Business Administration.