The measure unlocks federal emergency funds that could be used for relief assistance in 19 southern Florida counties, including Brevard, Indian River, Okeechobee, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk, Seminole, St. Lucie, and Volusia.

"Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said in a statement.

Jeanne smashed homes, tore off roofs, flooded streets and left one million Floridians without electricity Sunday.

There were no immediate official reports of deaths, but several overturned vehicles could be seen on the highways. The Miami Herald newspaper reported that divers had recovered two bodies and a sports utility vehicle from a canal along an expressway, although the deaths were not immediately attributed to the storm.

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