(RALEIGH) -- Gov. Bev Perdue late Thursday secured federal approval for public assistance to 20 counties in Eastern North Carolina to recover from Hurricane Irene.  The assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency enables local governments to recoup costs for storm response, debris removal and infrastructure damage estimated at more than $40 million thus far.

The counties are: Beaufort, Brunswick, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Halifax, Hyde, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Tyrrell and Wilson.

State and federal damage assessment teams have been canvassing Eastern North Carolina since Sunday, and more counties could be added later.

"At the same that we are aggressively seeking assistance to help families and businesses recover from this destructive storm, we need to help local governments with the costs of repairing public structures, clearing the streets and responding to the communities' needs," Gov. Perdue said.  "I am committed to ensuring that our relief and recovery efforts continue as quickly and smoothly as possible."

FEMA provides two types of assistance. Individual assistance aids families and businesses, while public assistance helps with community recovery costs.

Earlier in the day, Perdue got federal approval of her request for individual assistance for Halifax and Lenoir counties.

They join seven other counties that President Obama approved on Aug. 30 - Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Dare, Hyde, Pamlico and Tyrrell.  The individual assistance from FEMA allows homeowners and businesses to seek low-interest loans and grants for uninsured and underinsured losses.