{"id":239,"date":"2016-10-17T10:16:10","date_gmt":"2016-10-17T14:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/palmeravacationclub.com\/blog\/?p=239"},"modified":"2016-10-17T10:22:32","modified_gmt":"2016-10-17T14:22:32","slug":"hurricane-matthew-recap-and-recovery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/palmeravacationclub.com\/blog\/2016\/10\/hurricane-matthew-recap-and-recovery\/","title":{"rendered":"Hurricane Matthew – Recap and Recovery"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/h6>\r\nLANDFALL IMMINENT is what the Weather Channel was reporting in the early hours of 10\/8\/16.\u00a0\u00a0 It was at this time that Hurricane Matthew took aim and landed a direct hit on Hilton Head Island.\u00a0 Matthew packed a powerful punch, coming in as a Category 2 Hurricane, and bringing with it high winds, over 18 inches of rain and a handful of tornadoes. \u00a0President Obama has declared Beaufort County a Federal Disaster Area.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nResidents of Hilton Head have been through the evacuation drill before only to come back and find their beautiful island perfectly intact. So it was with some grumbling that the evacuation process began on Tuesday 10\/4\/16.\u00a0 The evacuation was well staged, planned and coordinated.\u00a0 Governor Nikki Haley, who ordered the evacuation, continuously updated the state on the plans and did not mince words when telling people to GET OUT.\u00a0 The National Guard was called in and was stationed at every corner along the evacuation route; lanes were reversed along heavily traveled evacuation routes.\u00a0 The horror stories of evacuations gone by did not emerge this time, while traffic was to be expected, we did not hear about those stuck for hours on end.\r\n\r\nAs the days rolled on, and we binge watched the Weather Channel, Hurricane Matthew rolled up the coast of Florida, and it became more apparent that Hilton Head would be in its path. \u00a0Many of those that had originally planned to ride it out decided they had better leave.\u00a0 Ultimately, even Hilton Head Hospital, and all emergency first responders were evacuated.\u00a0 Those that decided to stay were very clearly told that they were on their own.\u00a0 If something happened, there would be no one that could help them until it was safe to do so.\r\n\r\nOvernight Friday 10\/7\/16 and into the morning of 10\/8\/16 Matthew paid its visit to Hilton Head, leaving utter devastation in its path. Thousands of trees were down, sand dunes demolished, beach erosion, homes damaged and destroyed, docks wiped out, boats torn loose and tossed ashore, golf courses flooded, roads impassable, the list goes on and on.\r\n\r\nThe first hurdle toward recovery was the bridge.\u00a0 With most everyone, and all emergency response teams off of the island, the bridge needed to be inspected to make sure it was safe to bring heavy traffic and large trucks back onto the island.\u00a0 At times during the storm, the water was nearly level with the bridge, putting its integrity into question.\u00a0 Once the bridge passed inspection, recovery efforts began in earnest.\r\n\r\nAt the same time as the bridge inspection, those that had stayed in their homes began to emerge, and with them, our first look at what Hurricane Matthew had left behind. We did not have the benefit of having the Weather Channel stationed on our beaches, live broadcasting the storm-it simply wasn\u2019t safe enough, so we had no idea. \u00a0The first thing we learned was that so many trees were down; the island was difficult, if not impossible, to navigate.\u00a0 Driving was not an option, but residents were able to walk and in some cases bike around their areas.\u00a0 These people began to show us what we would be up against. As they began to post photos on social media, requests for photos of our homes, businesses, boats, resorts, favorite places came pouring in. It is these folks that gave the first reports to so many.\u00a0 It helped knowing a little about what we would be facing upon return-which was still a few days out.\r\n\r\n\"welcome-home\"Search and Rescue teams were deployed to do health and welfare checks on those that had stayed behind. The fire departments and emergency management teams went back, the Hospital Staff, power companies, and water companies and select others were given access to the island first.\u00a0 So many things had to occur to make the island safe for residents to return.\u00a0 In order for residents and guests to be allowed back onto the island we needed a working hospital.\u00a0 We needed roads cleared; power\u2026all these things would take time.\u00a0 Hilton Head Island\u2019s mayor, though out of the area,\u00a0continued to update the community via live video.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Many communities were simply not accessible due to the number of trees down.\u00a0 Roads had to be cleared to make things happen.\u00a0 First, the primary roads, followed by secondary roads, then residential.\u00a0 So many trees down\u2026thousands of trees.\r\n\r\nBy Monday\u2014just TWO DAYS after a major hurricane hit the island, news came that the Hilton Head Emergency Room was open. \u00a0Many of the Islands traffic lights were now operational, some still without power.\u00a0 Debris had been moved (not yet removed) out of the way so roads could open. The Beaufort County evacuation order was lifted for most of the county, but not yet for Hilton Head.\u00a0 Business passes began to be issued, Shelters were set up, meals distributed, the progress was amazing.\u00a0 By Tuesday morning businesses needed to stabilize Hilton Head Island were given access.\u00a0 And, by Tuesday at 3pm Residents were allowed to return to the Island.\u00a0 HOWEVER, residents who did not have to be there were urged to stay away longer.\u00a0 The island still did not have power for the large part, did not have water, (no flushing toilets, no laundry, no showers), many residential roads still impassable.\u00a0\u00a0 Residents were urged to contact their POA prior to returning, some areas were still not safe or accessible.\r\n\r\nUpon returning, residents reportedly from Windmill Harbor, had placed a \u201cWelcome Home\u201d sign they had made of plywood and spray paint against a tree for all to see upon re-entry.\u00a0 At 3pm these residents lined the streets and waved the American flag and cheered others as they returned home.\u00a0 It was an amazing homecoming and a strong showing of what our community is all about.\r\n\r\nProgress continues to be made.\u00a0 Neighbors helping neighbors, the power companies, the water company, the town, the state, Governor Nikki Haley, Mayor David Bennett, the National Guard, the Red Cross, EMS the Fire Department, the Hospital and so many more.\u00a0 Tree removal companies, plumbers, landscapers, debris removal companies, the grocery stores, the gas stations, we can\u2019t begin to name everyone who has been involved in this coordinated effort to rebuild Hilton Head stronger than ever.\r\n\r\nA few examples we have seen worth sharing (there are so many more):\u00a0 The Island Rec Center has offered free child care yesterday and today with a goal of giving the parents some time to recover, and the kids a sense of normalcy.\u00a0 Piggly Wiggly, located in Coligny Plaza, end was open immediately after the storm and taking those that could get there through the store with a flashlight to buy supplies.\u00a0 Local Restaurants- CharBar, Holy Tequila, Lucky Rooster and many more banded together to provide meals to our first responders\u2014 we even saw the Mellow Mushroom and Roy\u2019s Place delivering meals via boat to those in need on Daufuskie Island (our neighbors).\r\nThe recovery effort on Hilton Head has been and continues to be absolutely amazing.\u00a0 More local businesses are open today, more will open tomorrow, and we hope to get the kids back to school next week. Debris removal efforts have been immense.\u00a0 We can\u2019t thank our local hero\u2019s enough for all they\u00a0have done \u2013the fire departments, EMS, the hospital.\u00a0 We are also incredibly grateful to the Beaufort County Sherriff\u2019s Department, the Town of Hilton Head, Nikki Haley, David Bennet and more, for keeping us so well informed via text alerts, social media updates, and press conferences.\u00a0 You all have been absolutely incredible.\r\n\r\nSo much of our beautiful island is already back up and running, and minute by minute more of our island is being restored.\u00a0 Please remember, however, that if you are making your way to Hilton Head this week, or even the next few weeks, we are still only days removed from a Category 2 Hurricane and we are rebuilding.\u00a0 If your favorite restaurant isn\u2019t open yet, or there are clean-up efforts happening during your vacation\u2014please know that it is all in an effort to rebuild Hilton Head Island stronger and more beautiful than ever.\r\n\r\n \r\n\t\t