President Biden intends to quickly approve a major disaster declaration for the tornadoes and storms that hit Alabama on Thursday and killed at least seven people, Gov. Kay Ivey said Friday.

The president promised the governor he would approve such a declaration, which opens up federal funding for both residents and public infrastructure affected by the storms, in a phone conversation Friday about the disaster, Ivey tweeted:

A major disaster declaration is designated when a president determines there is “damage of such severity that it is beyond the combined capabilities of state and local governments to respond,” according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Alabama last received a major disaster declaration for the severe storms and flooding in October 2021 that killed four people in Hoover and Marshall County. The declaration was approved two months after the disaster.

The designation was also granted for the severe storms and tornadoes of March 2021 that killed 11 people. That designation was approved a month after the disaster.

Ivey declared a state of emergency for Thursday’s storms in six counties affected by the tornadoes.

A state of emergency can speed assistance to the areas and streamline the aid process, as well as better position the state to seek federal help. Ivey’s order also alerts the Alabama National Guard to be ready for deployment if needed and prevents price gouging.