Hilton Head

As Hilton Head Island continues to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Matthew, our closest neighboring island begins its journey to return its community to normal.

Daufuskie Island is 8 square miles of private land that is only accessible by boat, so naturally many were concerned when Gov. Nikki Haley mentioned in her pre-hurricane press conference that storm surges would leave the island “under water.” For a community of small residences and businesses, staying behind to endure Hurricane Matthew was a gamble, but one that about a quarter of the residents decided to take. 

South Carolina Emergency Management Division and FEMA have announced a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will be set up on Hilton Head Island. 

PHOTO: Hilton Head Island mayor David Bennett and U.S. Rep. Mark Sanford survey saltwater damage to the 18th fairway of Harbour Town Golf Links.

Preparedness, teamwork, cooperation, kindness and thankfulness are five words that come quickly to mind when describing how our hometown Island got through last month's Hurricane Matthew impact and immediate aftermath in a positive fashion.

Condé Nast Traveler recently ranked Hilton Head Island the No. 3 island in the United States as part of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards. The Hawaiian islands of Maui and Oahu took the top two spots. The magazine had high praise for Hilton Head’s “pristine” beaches, shopping, bike trails, golf and restaurants “that could compete with major cities.”

“American Pickers” is looking for Hilton Head Island and Bluffton collectors to feature on an episode of the popular TV show. Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz and their team explore the world of antique “picking” on the History Channel.

Due to Hurricane Matthew, most of Hunting Island State Park is closed until further notice. All reservations are cancelled and refunded through December 2016.

Hilton Grand Vacations recently opened its new Ocean Oak Resort, located near Coligny Beach Park on South Forest Beach. The resort features 125 oceanfront suits, a zeroentry pool and sits on 7 acres.

The Rotary Club of Hilton Head Island recently announced that Emory Campbell and Caroline “Beany” Newhall will be inducted into the Hilton Head Island Hall of Fame on Nov. 10. Campbell is being recognized for his outstanding contributions to the cultural and environmental heritage of the Lowcountry.

The Coastal Discovery Museum recently held a grand opening for donors who supported the construction of a new $400,000 educational building and learning laboratory at the Coastal Discovery Museum. It was the first public announcement that the building was named in honor of Tom Peeples in recognition of his foresight in preserving historic Honey Horn and helping develop a successful public-private partnership between the Coastal Discovery Museum and the Town of Hilton Head Island.

German Batista of Hilton Head Island graduates from Veterans Treatment Court at the Beaufort County Courthouse on Sept. 20.

German Antonio Batista is a combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient. He received two Bronze Stars following a tour of duty in Iraq during the Gulf War. He is also a recovering abuser of alcohol and drugs.

Highlights for the Town of Hilton Head Island by Town Manager, Steve Riley

• The big news this week was the authorization from FEMA to authorize the Town to begin to clear debris from private roads in the major PUDs. This is an important first step, but we must now begin the work of collecting the documentation required by FEMA to gain approval to clear the debris for all of the private dirt roads.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) will reopen some shellfish harvesting areas in Beaufort County previously closed due to excessive rainfall from Hurricane Matthew, the agency announced today.

The residential debris drop-off sites located at Coligny Beach Parking lot at 1 South Forest Beach Drive, 111 Leg O’ Mutton Road and 120 William Hilton Parkway are still open daily between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

• The focus in week two has been on damage assessment, clearing of debris on roads, restarting beach renourishment, emergency permitting, assisting those in need, reaching out to state and federal agencies for assistance, and restoring some sense of normalcy.

Federal Emergency Management Inspectors (FEMA) Inspectors have arrived in Beaufort County to begin damage assessment and inspections for those that have applied for individual assistance and other assignments.