TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Federal Emergency Management Administration has denied an appeal from Kansas officials for a federal disaster declaration for several counties affected by May storms.

FEMA says the state’s original request for a federal declaration for the public assistance grants was denied. Several counties were included in that request.

Many areas of the state were hit severe weather that included thunderstorms, tornadoes and flooding during the last week of May.

The state appealed FEMA’s initial decision on Aug. 31. FEMA has denied the appeal, reaffirming its original findings that the damage caused by the storms did not warrant a major disaster declaration, which would have granted broader authority for federal agencies to help the region recover.