INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WOWO): Governor Mike Pence has officially opened the State Disaster Relief Fund to local government in 16 counties.

The counties are those affected by severe weather and flooding that began on April 17th. The storms and flooding resulted in extensive damage and strained resources. Qualifying expenses include the replacement, repair and restoration of roads, sewer systems and other public property. Certain expenses with debris removal also are qualified.

The counties are Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clinton, Fountain, Hendricks, Howard, Knox, Madison, Montgomery, Putnam, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Vermillion, Wabash and Warren counties.

Fees from retail fireworks sales provide the funding for the State Disaster Relief Fund, and Indiana is one of a few states to have a state fund.