Tallahassee, Fla. (AP) — Florida officials say the Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied disaster assistance for areas of the state damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management reports that Gov. Rick Scott received notification of the denial Thursday.

Scott requested federal assistance on Nov. 1 for Brevard, Broward, Indian River, Martin, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties as a result of damage from Hurricane Sandy on Oct. 24-26. Officials say Florida sustained $44.9 million in damage to infrastructure and beaches.

The original request for federal assistance was denied by FEMA on Nov. 29. Scott filed an appeal Dec. 19, which was denied this week.

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