ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Many people from St. Simons Island were allowed to return to their homes and businesses Tuesday for the first time since Hurricane Matthew.
The evacuation order for the barrier islands was lifted at noon Tuesday.
Thousands waited in line for hours, some frustrated and uncertain, not knowing what kind of damage the would come home to.
“Ten hours to get to Atlanta and back, I’m ready to get home,” said Tommy Penn.
“And I’ve been in a hotel in Brunswick for that length of time with no power, with four dogs,” said another person waiting in line.
Many people came home to downed trees in their yards.
“I’m glad it didn’t hit my house,” says Bowie Nunnaley.
Business owners rushed to get their businesses back together.
“All in all, we fared well, so we’re grateful. God spared us on this one,” said Jepter Butler, owner of Iguana Seafood Restaurant.
Butler said he escaped major damage, but “when the power went out, we lost all our coolers, we lost all our food,” he said.
And with being out of business for six days, “we probably lost over $100,000, it’s devastating,” Butler said.
But Butler is now thinking about another money-making week: the week of the Georgia vs. Florida game.
“As a business owner, that’s a big weekend for St. Simons Island, not just myself, but every business here,” he says.
Butler is doing whatever he can to make that weekend a success.
“I got all hands on deck. I got my family, my friends, all employees will be here, so we will be ready to go,” says Butler.
Re-entry is allowed only for people who have proof of residency, or who work on the island. People who hope to re-enter will need an ID with their address, or a document showing their place of work. If you don’t live on the island, but work there and have a business card, that will be accepted.
Cox Media Group
