When a text appeared on Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella’s phone late Wednesday evening, at first he thought it was a joke.
A journalist was inquiring about late-breaking news that the federal government had walked back its earlier denial of disaster relief for Leominster, meaning much-needed dollars would flow into the city, which is still recovering from a massive storm last September.
But as more messages came in, including a call from Congressman Jim McGovern, he realized it was real — the help that Leominster had been hoping for was on its way. “Most are sleeping, but I just received this exciting news,” he wrote on Facebook. “I’m not sure of the exact terms but this is one major victory.”
President Biden declared a “major disaster” for Bristol and Worcester counties on Wednesday night, opening the door for federal funding for recovery efforts, the White House statement said.
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Parts of central Massachusetts, most notably the city of Leominster, suffered catastrophic flooding when up to 11 inches of rain fell from Sept. 11-13, washing out roads and sidewalks and leaving parts of the downtown under water.
At a press conference on Thursday, Mazzarella said that his office is still getting daily calls about the damage, which can still be seen around the city. “I’ve heard of 100-year storms, maybe 500-year storms,” he said. “Never 900- to 1,000-year storms. This was the first time.”
Governor Maura Healey had applied for disaster relief funds for Bristol, Hampden, and Worcester counties. But the Federal Emergency Management Agency rejected the application in February, saying the scope of damage was not beyond what state and local communities could handle.
Without the aid, people were going into credit card debt and draining their savings to rebuild, McGovern said. “That’s unconscionable.”
In a statement Thursday, Senator Edward J. Markey thanked Biden and Lori Ehrlich, the regional FEMA administrator, for reversing the earlier denial.
“Residents and businesses in Leominster, North Attleboro, and across Worcester and Bristol Counties who were impacted by September’s storms will now have the opportunity to tap into federal relief as they continue to rebuild,” Markey said.
Biden’s decision will also provide “hazard mitigation measures for the entire Commonwealth,” according to the White House.
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Those funds will help individuals and businesses who incurred damages from the storm. A second part of the appeal, related to funds to support the municipal recovery, is still pending.
Healey, who is currently attending a climate summit in Italy, said the assistance will provide much-needed help. “Our communities have been through so much and continue to experience the impacts of these storms.”
The federal assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, as well as other programs, the statement said.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in Bristol and Worcester counties can apply for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App.
Maeve Lawler can be reached at maeve.lawler@globe.com. Follow her @maeve_lawler. Sabrina Shankman can be reached at sabrina.shankman@globe.com.