ALBANY - Nearly 8,000 residents in the upstate regions hit by torrential rains and severe flooding in late June have applied for emergency state aid and just more than 6,000 have asked for federal assistance, officials said Wednesday.

“An incredible number of people were affected by this,” said Don Maurer, spokesman for the State Emergency Management Office. “I cannot remember a similar type of initiative.”

The $35 million disaster relief program announced by Gov. George Pataki June 30 included funds for emergency food stamps, shelter, and administrative assistance to help flood victims in the Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley. Another $25 million in state aid was announced last week for community cleanup and business assistance.

The package is the most comprehensive state emergency package to date, Maurer said.

Another 6,139 residents meanwhile have applied for federal help, with 74 percent qualifying as eligible, said Dean Cushman, spokesman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

So far, $1.2 million in federal aid has been approved for flood victims. That figure could go up as more people are determined to be eligible for aid, Cushman said. Residents should receive monetary aid within seven to 10 days of an inspection by a FEMA official.

The state grants of up to $5,000 will serve as an additional safety net for any needs not covered by insurance or FEMA, like clothing, officials said.

“This is a very unusual program,” said Cushman, referring to the twin aid programs by state and federal agencies. “Generally, a state looks at disaster and asks for FEMA to come in. They don't have their own emergency (aid) program.”

With multiple agencies including FEMA, SEMO, the Red Cross and the Small Business Administration distributing aid, confusion among flood victims is likely. Residents must apply to each program separately.

However, Cushman said officials are working to see if there is a way to make services more cohesive.

“There's no one-stop shop,” Cushman said. “If you're requesting aid from the Red Cross or FEMA or the SBA or the state, they're all going to send their own inspectors.”

The state has so far received 7,713 applications for individual aid, according to SEMO. Residents are already getting help moving into shelters and monetary aid should be made available within days, Maurer said. He could not give an estimate on the average dollar amount individuals might receive.

On Wednesday, the state Tax Department was expected to announce a filing grace period for flood victims. Department spokesman Tom Bergin said monetary relief would not be included.