VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. -- Governor Charlie Crist visited flood-damaged areas and devastated families Tuesday as recovery efforts began from the historic floods in Volusia County. The coast is drying up and giving families a chance to rebuild.

In Volusia County, 619 houses have major damage and may be destroyed and 912 homes had minor damage. Officials are waiting to find out if federal money will come in to help storm victims and if FEMA will get involved.

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VIDEO REPORT: Residents Waiting For Relief
SPECIAL SECTION: Historic Floods Hit Central Fla.
RAINFALL TOTALS: Final Totals May 17-23
SPEEDWAY: Officials Say Water Removed
SHARE: Submit Your Storm Photos & Videos

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"Yeah we're fixing to have a riot here in a few minutes," said resident Josephine Griffen.

Griffen says families can no longer wait in long lines for the cumbersome process of providing aid to victims as up to $50 million in relief is mired in federal red tape.

"My refrigerator's empty, my house is flooded and we are down here in this heat. Some help. Anything they'll give me," she said.

Victims like Griffen were paid a visit by Governor Charlie Crist who says his office has done all it can to request FEMA aide along Central Florida's Atlantic coast, but it could be another week before President Obama signs off on a disaster relief application.

"Governor, how can the relief be speed up at this point?" asked WFTV reporter Steve Barrett. "Some people are already getting frustrated at this point. What can be done?"

"There may be some state funds available, I think up to $2 million worth that we hope to be able to dispatch sooner than later," answered Crist.

However, some local lawmakers are pressuring the White House to act now. Representatives John Mica and Susanne Kosmas sent an urgent request Tuesday, complaining about the pace of action in Washington.

"Now it's in Obama's hands to provide a national declaration for individual assistance. Until the President acts, our hands are tied," said Mica.

Eyewitness News learned that federal aide for flood victims could come in the form of Katrina-style debit cards, special food stamps and FEMA trailers.

"There will be short term housing, as long term housing that's what the federal does, there will be food assistance all those vouchers that you talked about," said Volusia County Chairman Frank Bruno.

"We hope that by the end of the week, maybe sooner if that can be done, that the President can approve our disaster application. That would mean significant funds maybe as much as $50 million," Crist said.

Flood victim's say they wonder why disaster aide isn't being approved by the President now.

"Where he at? We done voted for him and where he at?" asked one resident.

"We're stuck, there's nothing we can do. We need help you know nobody is here for their health," said flood victim Vickie Stokes.

Governor Crist told Eyewitness News that the state has about $2 million available to get the ball rolling, but that's not much of a dent in the $50 million plus in flood damage.

TWO ASSISTANCE CENTERS OPEN

The lack of federal funds did not hundreds of people from lining up in Daytona Beach Tuesday to ask for help.

Hundreds of flood victims have been waiting for hours to get any type of assistance. One man said he arrived five hours before the doors opened to avoid the long lines.

For Calvin Grimes, getting up at 3 o'clock in the morning to wait for flood relief was a must.

"I wanted to be sure to get some type of help or some kind of answers. My house has been flooded for a week," he said.

The state opened two essential service centers in Volusia County Tuesday morning to help people like Grimes.

Before the doors opened, the line at the Daytona Beach location stretched through the parking lot and on to Bellevue Avenue.

The lines were long at a Holly Hill location as well.

"I'm hoping they really do something for me. I don't know what's on the table for us, but I would like to find out," said Grimes.

State and local agencies are offering a range of assistance, including food stamp replacement, Department of Children and Families Support and Elder Affairs.

"My house needs repair. Carpet, furniture, you know, so hopefully they are talking good," said Grimes.

Grimes said he walked away happy, but is hoping federal aid is on the way soon.

The assistance centers are open seven days a week from 9:00am to 6:00pm.