The damage from this week's floods in Cherokee County has topped $40 million, and a federal disaster recovery center now is open to aid property owners.

Robby Westbrook, director of the Cherokee Sheriff's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, is overseeing the countywide damage assessment, which will continue through the weekend.

Westbrook said the total cost of the damage still could climb higher.

"We have seen the bulk of it," he said about the flood damage.

As of Friday, 265 single- and multi-family residences were destroyed or received major damage. The number of businesses in the county that suffered major damage or were destroyed has reached 93.

Not included in the damage total is $3 million in estimated damage to local government infrastructure. The assessment of this damage will continue for many more days.

Westbrook urged any county property owner who suffered damage during the flood to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at the disaster recovery center that opened on Friday in Woodstock.

The center at the county recreation center in the South Annex at 7545 Main St. will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week, for as long as it is needed.

Residents also can register by calling 1-800-621-3362 or using the Web site at www.disasterassistance.gov.

Tim Tyson, a public information officer for FEMA, said about 25 people came to the center on Friday to register with the agency.

"One of the benefits with coming to the disaster recovery center is that you can sit down face-to-face with a FEMA representative," he said.

Representatives from other agencies, such as the Small Business Administration, also will be at the center to offer assistance.

President Barack Obama on Thursday issued a disaster declaration making federal funding available to individuals affected by the flood in Cherokee, Carroll, Cobb, Douglas and Paulding counties. On Friday, two more counties were added: Chattooga and Stephens.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.

On Friday, State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said workers in four counties, including Cherokee, may be eligible for federals Disaster Unemployment Assistance to compensate for lost income that is directly related to the severs storms and flooding.

Business owners and workers impacted by the storm are encouraged to apply for the benefit by Oct. 26. For information, call (877) 709-8185.

A flash flood watch is in effect until tonight through portions of north Georgia. Westbrook said more heavy rains would slow the recovery process and asked residents to push their recovery efforts to completion.