For people in the Champlain area, having it declared a Great Lake was great news.

VOA: special.2009.01.05

He declared military rule in a large area of South Carolina.

VOA: special.2010.02.18

The government in Rome meanwhile has declared a state of emergency for the area, freeing funds for relief and reconstruction.

VOA: standard.2009.10.03

The fee for copies of tax returns may be waived if you are in an area declared a federal disaster area.

FORBES: Missing Tax Data? Get A Free IRS Transcript To Untangle The Mess

Additionally, affected taxpayers in a federally declared disaster area may be able to claim a casualty loss related to the disaster on a federal income tax return.

FORBES: IRS Announces Tax Relief for Joplin, Other Areas Affected By Storms

The IRS and state taxing authorities give further concessions to taxpayers when the casualty occurs in a federally declared disaster area (most areas affected by Hurricane Sandy qualify).

FORBES: Can I Deduct Sandy's Wrath?