Virginia is requesting a federal disaster declaration to help Louisa County residents cover the costs of damage sustained in an August earthquake.

Gov. Bob McDonnell's office said Tuesday that the aid was requested through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Individual Assistance program.

If approved, low-interest loans, grants and disaster housing assistance would be available for homeowners and renters that sustained damage in the 5.8-magnitude earthquake on Aug. 23.

McDonnell also requested federal disaster unemployment
assistance, legal services and crisis counseling for Louisa
residents.

Other localities could be added as more damage is identified.

Virginia officials are continuing to evaluate damage to public
infrastructure to determine if the state can qualify for FEMA's
Public Assistance program.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located near the Louisa County town of Mineral.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)