Hilton Head News

BEAUFORT, SC - United Way of the Lowcountry is mobilizing resources and providing assistance to help people rebuild their lives and this community by collecting donations for disaster relief efforts and responding to needs through the United Way Helpline.

Please be advised that the following Town parks will be re-opened to the public as of 10/18/2016:

Looking for Hurricane Matthew recovery updates? Find links to the latest news and information here:

If you see a hazardous tree in a Public Road Right-of-Way or on a Town property and would like to report it; please go to the Town of Hilton Head Island's website under Disaster Recovery, Report Public Infrastructure/Code Violations http://www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/recovery/crm.cfm.

The Town will address these on a priority basis as they are discovered. A comprehensive listing of public roadways can be found on the Town's website as well.

The Town is not addressing hazardous trees on private property, unless it is leaning or hanging over a Public Road Right-of-Way, in which case it will be removed or cut at the Right-of-Way line. Private property owners, including private roads, are responsible for and should address any hazardous trees on their property.

On Saturday October 15th alone, Town contractors removed more than 700 hazardous trees and limbs over public roadways and properties. 14 bucket truck crews were in operation and more crews have been added today.

Comprehensive List of Public Roadways on Hilton Head Island

The Town of Bluffton’s Building and Safety Staff recently completed the damage assessment of structures following Hurricane Matthew.

Residents may notice either a green, yellow or red placard posted on their property by Town Staff.  If no placard is posted on the property, that indicates there was either no damage, or very minor damage visible at the time of the inspection.  A green placard indicates some minor damage was observed, and a permit is not necessary for the minor repairs to be corrected immediately.  Minor repairs may include broken windows, damaged railings or missing siding. 

The Town’s contractor, Weeks Marine Incorporated expects to restart beach renourishment activities in South Forest Beach no later than October 19, 2016. 

The Town desires to replace the sand washed from our design template along the central oceanfront beach as a result of Hurricane Matthew.  While the storm related sand losses from the template are measureable, the majority of the sand recently pumped on the beach remains in place.

"As most of you have probably heard Hilton Head Island received a direct hit from Hurricane Matthew. Damage is severe. This video was shot entirely with my iPhone. Other areas on the island were hit much harder. I couldn't be prouder of my brothers and sisters with Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue and others from around the state who are helping us make the island safe for reentry. Pray for us as we recover from this storm!" Tom Bouthillet

The credit for the video goes to Tom Bouthillet, the fire captain for the Hilton Head Fire & Rescue

Special Building Permits

Over the next 30 days, the Town of Bluffton will waive fees for permits to make structural repairs for damage sustained to properties from Hurricane Matthew. During this 30-day period, the Town will not be accepting new single family or commercial permits unless a special circumstance is warranted.

“We want residents affected by the storm to have first priority when it comes to fixing their home,” said Town Manager Marc Orlando.

Professional building inspectors will conduct a survey of homes for potential hazards. They will leave behind a placard to communicate the results of their inspection. The color of the placard indicates the condition of the structure, and how safe it is to enter.

Citizens' Drop-Off Sites will be activated on Friday, October 14, 2016. These Drop-Off Sites are for the use of residents/property owners only and will accept landscaping debris, construction debris, and white goods (household appliances) only at these locations. No commercial use is authorized. The Drop-Off Site locations are as follows:

The American Humane Association is teaming up with Palmetto Animal League to create a Pet Disaster Recovery Center at the PAL Adoption Center in Okatie’s Riverwalk Business Park. American Humane’s rescue team has arrived at PAL with two giant, 50-foot emergency rescue vehicles ready to provide emergency aid for animals and pet owners affected by Hurricane Matthew.

The Town of Bluffton, to assist residents with the Hurricane Matthew recovery efforts, is placing industrial-sized dumpsters at three sites for disposal of storm debris:

• Eagles’ Field (Corner of Buck Island Road and Bluffton Parkway)
• Rotary Community Center Parking Lot (Located in Oscar Frazier Park at 11 Recreation Court)
• Oyster Factory Park (63 Wharf Street)

Dumpsters will be available Wednesday, October 12th, 2016 and will only be in place for a limited time. Residents are reminded that these dumpsters are to be used for storm debris only which includes tree branches, limbs, twigs, trunks and other debris from plants and trees.

Those wishing to make a donation to or volunteer for recovery efforts are asked to work through Community Foundation of the Lowcountry In the wake of devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew, individuals, groups and corporations wishing to donate to recovery and rebuilding efforts in the Lowcountry can make donations to Community Foundation of the Lowcountry's Disaster Recovery and Rebuilding Fund. Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is the organization of record to receive donations for disaster recovery and rebuilding in Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton and Colleton Counties.

Improving the lives of Beaufort’s County’s children, one child at a time

Pristine beaches, meandering bike paths and manicured golf courses create a pretty picture of island living. For most tourists and residents of Hilton Head Island, this epitomizes their way of life; a life that is aesthetically pure and surrounded by beauty and relaxation. There are, however, island residents who live more in the shadows than in the sunshine.

“When those who have the power to name and to socially construct reality choose not to see you or hear you, whether you are dark-skinned, old, disabled, female or speak in a different accent or dialect than theirs, when someone … describes the world and you are not in it, (it feels) … as if you looked into a mirror and saw nothing.” — Adrienne Rich, poet