INDIANAPOLIS -- Gov. Mitch Daniels on Friday issued a disaster declaration for 41 counties affected by a recent bout of tornadoes, flash flooding and other severe weather.

The move is the first step toward securing a federal disaster declaration, which would open funding for those affected by storms and flooding.

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View: Map Of Counties With Storm Damage

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The governor's declaration stems from severe weather events on May 30 and June 4 in which several tornadoes did millions of dollars in damage to several counties, in addition to spurring flash flooding that also damaged homes and businesses.

The state has not yet submitted a full damage assessment to the federal government because it is still analyzing the extent of the damage, according to a release from Daniels' office.

The following counties are included in the declaration:

Adams, Bartholomew, Benton, Boone, Brown, Carroll, Dearborn, Decatur, Elkhart, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hancock, Henry, Huntington, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Johnson, Lagrange, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Miami, Monroe, Morgan, Newton, Ohio, Owen, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Sullivan, Tippecanoe, Union, Vermillion, Vigo, Wabash, Warrick, Wayne and White.

More counties might be added to the list, pending damage assessments.

Daniels on Friday continued his tour of devastation caused by tornadoes within the last week in central Indiana.

Daniels toured the Falcon Point apartments, near 38th Street and Mitthoeffer Road, a day after he got an up-close look at the damage to Camp Atterbury.

An EF-2 tornado plowed through a portion of Indianapolis' east side with winds of more than 100 mph on May 30, damaging all 218 units at Falcon Point and devastating other homes in the immediate vicinity.

During his visit, Daniels encountered several residents who were hurriedly getting as many of their items from the complex as they could in their one allowed trip inside.

At one point, a woman told Daniels that she needed a second trip to get everything she wanted to salvage. He interceded with the property manager, Debi Sanders, to get the woman a second visit, 6News' Norman Cox reported.

"Cut her this one piece of slack," Daniels told Sanders. "I'd tell you if it wasn't sound enough with all of us there."

When asked what she should do if other residents ask for the same consideration, Daniels responded "you tell corporate to talk to me."

People seemed glad to get the attention.

"It means a lot. It means that … people really do care, and it's nice to just be able to have people surround us and know that … we will be OK -- that we can restart and make a better life," said Katie Gibson, a storm victim.

Daniels said he anticipates substantial financial assistance for those affected by the storms, including grants for those who can't afford to pay back federal loans.

"There will be grant possibilities if we're successful, as well as direct assistance if anybody's been unemployed by the events, temporary housing assistance," Daniels said. "There is a wide range of assistance."

The American Red Cross, township trustee, churches and faith-based organizations are providing immediate help with clothing, food and housing.