CENTRE — Despite a deadly, disastrous storm for the ages, cleanup efforts were already well underway in Cherokee County by the end of last week.

Emergency Management Agency Director Beverly Daniel reported May 1 that Cherokee County had been declared a disaster area by both the state of Alabama and the federal government. Several other counties in Alabama had already received federal disaster status. For questions about disaster relief, county residents may call Daniel's office at 256-927-3911.

The declaration, which came around 9 p.m. on April 30, clears the way for those affected by the storm to apply for a wide array or relief from Washington, D.C. To find out more, call FEMA at 800-621-3362 or visit www.fema.gov.

County Commission Chairman Melvyn Salter said FEMA agents have already arrived in the county and in some cases are going door-to-door to assess needs.

On Friday, Daniel told The Post the most important thing now for people affected by the storms is to be patient as the process of assistance and recovery begins.

“FEMA is working on replacing housing,” Daniel said. “It's important that people let the process run its course instead of running out and doing something in a hurry that they might regret later.”

Daniel said it is possible FEMA could move campers or mobile homes into the county to serve as temporary housing for storm victims.

At a meeting of county officials last week, Salter went around the room asking for comments.

Daniel thanked all the deputies and volunteer firefighters who pitched in to help reach injured residents in the hours after the storm hit.

“We would have been overwhelmed if it hadn't been for them,” she said.

Daniel said disaster centers filled with supplies have been set up at the Goshen United Methodist Church and the gymnasium at the old Centre Middle School.

Red Cross volunteer Charlie Hincy told The Post the Centre location be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through at least May 14 and probably several weeks longer.

Salter said anyone who wants to donate to the effort should concentrate on household items such as dishes, cookware and linens. He said there is also a need for cleaning supplies, toiletries, baby items such as diapers and formula, and cash cards for groceries and gasoline.

Earlier in the week, Rep. Richard Lindsey had information to share from a TVA conference call he had taken part in the night before.

“They told me they may not be finished with their repairs until the middle of the summer," Lindsey said.

Cherokee Electric Manager Randal Wilkie said several manufacturers in the county were among the last locations to have their power restored.

“All our industrial loads are back on,” Wilkie said Friday. “Everyone on our system in Cherokee County who can receive power has it now.”

Earlier in the week, at the meeting of local officials, Salter had suggested getting together in a month to conduct a review of the county's storm response.

“I think that's a really good idea,” Daniel responded. “We can go over what we got right and what we got wrong so we can do a better job next time.”

“We don't know when it will be,” she added. “But we all know there will be a next time.”