President Bush is issuing a major disaster declaration for seven Oklahoma counties that suffered serious ice storm damage.

The move clears the way for federal funds to reimburse state and local governments for storm cleanup and infrastructure repairs in the affected counties.

A spokesman for Governor Brad Henry says state officials plan to ask for additional counties to be added to the disaster declaration as damage assessments are completed.

Tens of thousands are still without power, more than a week after freezing rain sent trees crashing into power lines across a wide area of central and eastern Oklahoma.

More than 600,000 homes and businesses in the state were without power immediately after the storm.