FREDERICKTOWN -- The disaster recovery center here will close today.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Missouri State Emergency Management Agency opened the center at the National Guard Armory April 27 to offer help to victims of severe storms and flash flooding in Fredericktown and Madison County in early April.

During the center's operation, federal and state disaster specialists have been meeting one-on-one with victims of the storms.

"We're happy that we've been able to help so many people by having the center available," said Kevin Galvin, FEMA spokesman. "People got much-needed information and are moving ahead with their recovery."

As of Monday afternoon, 290 people had visited the center since it opened.

Galvin emphasized that the closing of the center does not close the door to available help. "There are many agencies that will continue to provide disaster victims with recovery information," he said.

The FEMA hotline -- 1-800-525-0321 -- can answer questions and provide an update on the status of any applications.

"People who have not applied for disaster aid can still apply by calling another FEMA toll-free registration number, 1-800-462-9029.

Federal, state, local and volunteer agencies have coordinated disaster assistance in Madison County since the storms and flash flooding April 3. Flash flooding from 7 to 10 inches of rain, and a tornado and other severe storms left 38 homes destroyed, more than 100 residences and seven business damaged, and hundreds of people homeless.

The weather affected more than 400 families in Fredericktown and Madison County, said Butch DuCote, public-affairs officer for FEMA.

On May 5 four more storm-damaged Missouri counties -- Andrew, Iron, Macon and Osage -- became eligible for similar assistance.

Madison was the first to be designated as a major disaster area, prompting the release of federal funds to help people recover from the storms. President Clinton declared the major disaster for Missouri on April 20.

The American Red Cross stepped in immediately to help provide shelter for more than 50 people who were evacuated after Saline Creek overflowed, and a task force was formed to help people reorganize.

Madison County grants were approved for residents who qualify for help with repairs that will make their homes livable. In other cases, grants were used for rental assistance throughout Madison County. The rental assistance was paid in cases where houses were significantly damaged, preventing residents from returning.

More than $1 million in grants and loans have been approved for disaster victims in the five-county area. No immediate breakdown by counties was available, but more than $250,000 went to residents of Madison County.

This includes:

-- $328,233 in disaster house checks to assist eligible victims with the costs of short-term rental needs and repairs to homes.

-- $374,000 in U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest loans to homeowners and renters to repair or replace uninsured property.

-- $384,877 in individual and family grants to meet serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance and other assistant programs. The state administers this program.

A total of 341 residents and business owners throughout the five counties have applied for disaster assistance on the FEMA toll-free registration line.