The U.S. Department of Agriculture has granted the governor's request for natural disaster designations in 13 Georgia counties in two categories.

Agriculture secretary Thomas Vilsack made the announcement Thursday that the department granted the request of Gov. Nathan Deal. The department also named 17 contiguous counties that will be eligible for federal aid.

The first disaster designation addresses frost and freezes occurred April 12-13. Counties include Fannin, Habersham, Gilmer, Rabun, Union, Lumpkin, Towns and White.

The second lists counties affected by hail and high winds that took place May 22. Counties include Atkinson, Berrien, Cook, Lanier and Tift.

Tags: Cook County, U.S. Department of Agriculture, disaster, Federal Disaster Declaration, Tift County, Rabun County, Fannin County, Habersham County, Union County, White County, disaster assistance, Gilmer County, Towns County, federal disaster aid, Atkinson County, Lanier County, Lumpkin County, Berrien County