CHICAGO (CBS) — Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board, issued a disaster declaration following the derecho storm system last month brought more than 40 tornadoes to the Chicago area within two days.

It is estimated that the storms of July 14 and 15 caused over $5 million in damage to hundreds of homes in Cook County.

Preckwinkle’s disaster declaration allows the county to apply for state and federal assistance for cleanup and repair efforts.

The National Weather Service confirmed that nine tornadoes touched down in the Chicago area on July 14 and that 32 tornadoes struck the area on July 15 – a record – the most tornadoes ever to hit the Chicago area in one day.

Of those, three hit Cook County on July 14 and 13 hit Cook County on July 15, according to Preckwinkle’s office.

According to Preckwinkle’s office, the city of Chicago and the suburbs of Broadview, Dolton, Flossmoor, Harvey and Robbins were hit hardest by tornado damage.