In a letter on Friday, Governor John Lynch requested President Barack Obama declare that Cheshire County has suffered a major disaster as a result of heavy rains that caused flooding and severe road damage in several communities on May 29.

“More than six inches of rain fell in a short period, which led to flash flooding that caused severe damage to a number of roads,” Lynch said in a statement Friday. “The flooding caused major road wash outs, extensive debris and damage to state and local road infrastructure and facilities.

If a declaration is made by the president, federal aid will be available to help the state and communities with the expense of fixing these roads and other infrastructure.”

Local and state officials estimate the damage to be more than $3 million, which is on excess of the threshold needed for public assistance from Federal Emergency Management Agency.

A declaration means both the state and the city of Keene and other towns affected by the flooding would receive assistance to cover emergency operations and repair costs, as well as debris removal.