NATCHEZ — Today is the last day locals will have the opportunity to get personal assistance at the FEMA disaster recovery center in Adams County.

The center opened Oct. 7 to aid those in need of assistance from Hurricane Gustav and will close at 6 p.m. today.

Center manager Wade Sims said the center is closing because the number of those seeking aid has diminished, and FEMA feels the center has met the needs of the community.

“We’ve been able to reach a lot of people,” Sims said.

And while Sims said those in need of help are still coming into the center on a daily basis, their numbers have dropped.

In the first weeks of the center’s opening, approximately 200 people per day came for assistance. In the last week that number has gone to just over 20 a day, Sims said.

However, the center’s closure does not mean the end of FEMA’s assistance.

Sims said anyone still seeking aid can call FEMA or visit their Web site to register with the agency in order to become eligible for personal assistance.

And when FEMA opens their next DRC, in Concordia Parish in November, Adams County residents will still be able to access that site to seek assistance.

Sims said residents can use any DRC as long as they live in the impacted disaster area.

The Concordia DRC is scheduled to be housed in the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center.

Sims also said even though the center will be closing today, FEMA’s inspectors will still be in the county making their rounds.

And they’ll be busy.

FEMA’s public information officer Jody Correro said in the time the Adams County DRC has been open, the center has met with more than 2,300 assistance-seekers.

Of that group more than 400 have gotten personal assistance.

And more than $450,000 in aid has been awarded in the county.

While Sims said he’s seen a decline in people coming into the center, Correro said he wouldn’t be surprised to see a spike on the center’s last day.

FEMA can be reached by dialing 1-800-621-FEMA, or by visiting www.fema.gov.