Electricity providers hit hard by a storm back in December are getting federal help to repair the damage.

FEMA has announced awards totaling more than 52 million dollars to 20 rural cooperatives and 24 municipal utilities around the state.

The funding is part of FEMA's public assistance program. FEMA pays 75 percent of eligible costs for repair or replacement of damaged utilities; the state pays 10 percent; and the local entity pays 15 percent.