WASHINGTON (CBS/AP) — President Barack Obama has declared a disaster in California to assist in its recovery from last month’s tsunami.

Powerful waves generated by the magnitude-9.0 earthquake in Japan caused extensive damage to California’s coast on March 11.  State officials estimated more than $48 million in damage, mostly to harbors in Crescent City and Santa Cruz.

>>Gallery: Bay Area Tsunami Damage

Obama signed the disaster declaration Monday in response to the state’s request for help.

The declaration will allow state and local governments, as well as some nonprofits, to seek federal funding for emergency repair work. California emergency management officials have said it could save the state as much as $25 million in costs.

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