AUGUSTA — In one of his last acts as Maine’s chief executive, Gov. John Baldacci has provided $100,000 from a contingency fund to help four counties recover from a severe storm.

Baldacci said today that Washington and Aroostook counties were especially hard hit by the Dec. 12 storm. He said the state emergency management agency hoped they would qualify for federal aid, but that now appears unlikely.

He said the state money will help.

To qualify for a federal disaster declaration, the state must be able to document statewide damage of at least $1.65 million, and counties must meet thresholds, as well. Baldacci said the money will be shared by Washington, Aroostook, Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.