By: Robert Knox|Date: Jan 6, 2011

In the wake of last week’s severe coastal storm that drove hundreds from their homes and robbed thousands of power, state and South Shore officials are putting their heads together this week to see whether the region qualifies for federal disaster relief.

In Massachusetts, infrastructure damage caused by the storm must total at least $8.25 million to be eligible for federal assistance, according to a population-based formula. But despite the severity of the Dec. 26 nor’easter, which dropped more than 14 inches of snow on some communities, caused shoreline flooding from Quincy to Plymouth, and damaged hundreds of houses in Scituate alone, federal assistance is far from certain.