Some business owners are being allowed back on Saint Simons Island today to inspect their properties for damage from Hurricane Matthew, Glynn County officials said.
The continuing loss of power on the island has largely disabled the island’s sewer system, Glynn County authorities said Sunday night.
“The limited sewer capacity has created a potential severe public health issue,” county spokeswoman Kathryn Downs said in a press release Sunday evening. “As of 7 p.m., more than 80 percent of the sewer system infrastructure is non-operational.”
She said a boil-water advisory remains in effect on St. Simons “due to a loss of pressure in the system which may have allowed contaminants into water system.”
The loss of sewer capacity is one of the reasons the island remained inaccessible to all but public safety, utility and cleanup crews on Sunday.
“It is still not safe to be out and about on the island,” Downs said. “The curfew is still in effect for all of Glynn County from midnight through 5 a.m.”
As of 10 a.m. today, the county said “business-critical” workers, with proper ID would be admitted to St. Simons through a checkpoint near Ga. 17 and the Torras causeway.
“We understand the need for critical workers to re-enter and begin assessing damage to prepare for the return of residents and the full public,” said a statement from the county.
An update from the county was expected at 6 p.m. today at glynncounty.org.
Glynn County Department of Public Works, Georgia Power, private contractors and other critical infrastructure operators continue working to restore services to Glynn County. Glynn County Emergency Management Agency continues to coordinate the recovery. Glynn County and City of Brunswick residents should be reminded that critical infrastructure providers are working diligently to restore services as soon as possible.
As power and waste water infrastructure repairs continue on St. Simons Island, we understand
the need for critical workers to re-enter and begin assessing damage to prepare for the return of residents and the full public. As a reminder the boil-water advisory for St. Simons Island remains in effect until lifted by the JWSC.
At 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 10, Glynn County will implement Phase 2 of the re-entry plan for St. Simons Island. Phase 2 includes business critical workers which are allowed access for damage assessment of hazardous materials, security and recovery needs. To re-enter as a business critical worker proof of employment with the business and should be listed on the EMA disaster re-entry business registry list. A form of personal ID, such as a driver’s license and a business card with your name on it is sufficient proof, or a business ID with your name will suffice for re-entry. It is still not safe to be out and about on the island. The check point for entry onto the island will be on Warde St. in Brunswick near the corner of US-17 and the FJ Torras Causeway.
A curfew will remain in place tonight on St. Simons Island for the hours of midnight to 5:00 a.m.
While crews continue to work to remove downed power lines and repair other infrastructure, it is important keep the safety of the utility works and public safety officials in mind. Please give them space to work safely and remember the Georgia “Move Over” law.
County offices will reopen on Tuesday, October 10, 2016 for regular business hours. All courts will resume on Tuesday, as well.
