Area residents whose properties were damaged as a result of widespread storms April 11 and 12 have only a few days remaining if they want to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The federal agency, which obviously has its hands full this year, has a deadline of Nov. 2 for residents and businesses in Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel, Wood, Roane and Kanawha counties affected by those storms. The deadline had been extended once. It’s doubtful it will happen again.

Locally, those April storms resulted in high water which flooded some communities, or erosion which might have caused other difficulties.

That can put a heavy toll on our neighbors who were left to clean up after things went back to some semblance of normalcy.

FEMA spent time within our communities this summer, with representatives visiting with residents and businesses to survey damage and assist with starting any relevant claims.

A satellite office was established in New Cumberland for several weeks to give people a centralized location to visit if they needed help.

While they are no longer actively here, there still is time to reach out. Residents may apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362.

The U.S. Small Business Administration also has been offering assistance though its disaster loan program. A Nov. 2 deadline has been established there, as well.

If you still are in need of assistance, reach out while there is still time.