Officials at the Federal Emergency Management Agency are urging Baldwin County residents who have not yet visited the Disaster Relief Centers in Elberta and Fairhope to seek federal aid in the wake of last month’s storm event to do so soon.

“These centers will not stay open forever,” FEMA spokesman Bill Lehman said in an interview.

He explained that normally residents and business owners have 60 days after the president declares a disaster.

“July 2nd is set for the end of this period after the presidential declaration,” Lehman said. “He declared it on May 2nd.”

That declaration came after approximately 26 inches of rain fell on Baldwin County on April 30, leaving people stranded and flooded out of their homes and vehicles.

On May9, a FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center opened in at Elberta Town Hall in Elberta. By 10, they had already seen about a dozen applicants. The next day, a second center opened in Fairhope.

“We’ve had a good turnout,” Lehman said. “We’ve seen 50 to 60 people a day,”

He added that 80 percent of those registering for assistance have already been processed, with FEMA granting $11.1 million in housing assistance.

“Most of that is rental and repairs,” Lehman said, explaining that rental funds the relocation of those displaced because of severe flood damage.

The FEMA spokesman also pointed out that those with such damage who haven’t sought help from the program should do so soon.

“A lot of people don’t have flood insurance,” Lehman said. “FEMA can pay for that type of assistance. We look at what kind of insurance they have, so their claims will fall under their insurance or on us.”

The Elberta site of the FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center is located at Elberta Town Hall, 13052 Main St. in Elberta. In Fairhope, the located is at Fairhope Civic Center, 161 N Section St, In addition to FEMA, both house representatives from such agencies as the U.S. Small Business Administration, Baldwin County Department of Health, Salvation Army, Red Cross.

“They’re both open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday until further notice,” Lehman said.

FEMA officials say that includes Memorial Day.