Recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process. Safety is a primary issue, as are mental and physical well-being.  To get your home, our community, and our lives back to normal, here are a few guidelines to help make that happen as quickly as possible:

• Listen to current emergency information and instructions, especially curfew information.  The weather may be nice, the sun may be out, but hazards could still exist.
• If you are on the island, please obey the curfew orders.  Village officials will be surveying conditions to ensure that the island safe for everyone.  Being on the roads or being out and putting yourself in a situation that would require assistance from Public Safety prevents Village officials from checking conditions and clearing roadways promptly.  People who are out after curfew will be cited and fined.
• Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters.  Do not take the risk and assume all floodwater is contaminated.  Six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down.  The island has several lagoons and freshwater ponds that are inhabited by alligators, these creatures as well as others, will be in floodwater.

Debris removal – The Village will communicate debris removal plans as soon after the storm as possible.  Separate storm debris by type for example building materials in one pile, appliances in another pile, and vegetation in yet another pile.   The piles should be placed in the right of way (side of the road).  Wait for further instructions from the Village.    If you have any questions, please contact Public Works at 910-457-5422.

Insurance – Dealing with insurance after an event can be very overwhelming especially if the event caused widespread damage requiring numerous claims.  The NC Department of Insurance offers this publication, A Consumer’s Guide to Disaster Preparedness. This publication covers just about everything you need to know before and after the storm and includes contact information if you have further questions.

Contractors – Dealing with contractors after an event can be very overwhelming especially if the event caused widespread damage requiring numerous repairs. The NC Department of Insurance offers some tips for Protecting Yourself from Scams.  If you are hiring someone who does not regularly work on the island, please direct them to our Contractor Services web page for information about working on the island.