WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has granted an emergency disaster declaration request for Oklahoma and ordered that federal disaster aid be given to the state after a blizzard dumped 20 inches of snow on some areas.

The president's action authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate all disaster relief efforts and provide equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency in all 77 counties.

Gov. Mary Fallin had asked the White House for the declaration Wednesday, a day after a massive winter storm paralyzed parts of the state with heavy snow and bitterly cold temperatures.

A disaster declaration would make state and local governments eligible for reimbursement for expenses associated with responding to the storm.