The latest: Deadline to report storm damage extended in Chesapeake

Oct. 14--Nearly all power has been restored, but Hampton Roads and northeastern North Carolina continue to be under flood warnings and advisories today. As officials continue to send updates, we'll post them here.

6:41 p.m.

A state of emergency remains in effect for Hyde County. Officials expect to lift the mandatory evacuation order and entry/re-entry restrictions for Ocracoke visitors on Monday.

The Ocracoke Deputy Control Group will meet on Saturday to verify that the weather conditions and recovery efforts have provided a conducive and safe environment for returning visitors.

Ocracoke debris removal operations will begin on Wednesday.

___

5:26 p.m.

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory announced that Disaster Unemployment Assistance is now available for people in 20 counties due to the effects of Hurricane Matthew.

"Entire towns have been destroyed with record flooding from Hurricane Matthew, meaning many businesses and employees have been directly impacted," McCrory said. "This assistance will help those suffering during these difficult times to begin rebuilding their lives."

The governor has instructed the Division of Employment Security to not enforce the one-week waiting period and job search requirements for people whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Matthew.

Workers who became unemployed as a direct result of the effects of Hurricane Matthew may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits under the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program. Business owners affected by the storm may also qualify for benefits.

___

5:09 p.m.

Dare County officials state there were 24,750 Dominion North Carolina Power customers affected by Hurricane Matthew. Officials said there are still 117 customers without power. Some of the residents without power are in areas that are still flooded and Dominion is unable to restore service at this time.

The projected date for the town of Southern Shores' FEMA debris collection is Oct. 24. Property owners with debris from Hurricane Matthew should place the debris in the right-of-way of a public street closest to the point of generation.

___

5:04 p.m.

Virginia Beach Public Works has announced that both westbound lanes of Shore Drive have been closed from 83rd Street to Kendall Avenue due to high water.

A high water advisory is in place for both eastbound lanes from Kendall Avenue to the entrance of the First Landing Campground.

___

3:31 p.m.

Chesapeake city leaders have requested that the state include Chesapeake in a request for a federal Presidential Disaster Declaration. Damage reports are part of the criteria for potentially receiving such a declaration.

The City has filed its Initial Damage Assessment with the state, which will then file the materials with FEMA. This is the first step in the process to receive federal declaration. The entire process can take 30 days or more.

Collection of storm-related damage reports is on-going. Residents and businesses should contact the city as quickly as possible to report damages, so that city staff can then assess and document the damage.

Chesapeake personnel are also working closely with residents who were heavily impacted by flooding. These areas include John Street in Western Branch, Mill Creek, Elmwood Landing and Culpepper Landing in Deep Creek.

The city has suspended all regular household bulk waste pickups except for those related to the storm.

Residents with non-emergency City services needs should either call (757) 382-CITY (382-2489) or visit the City website at CityOfChesapeake.net.

___

12:10 p.m.

Water quality officials are warning residents not to swim in ocean areas where floodwater is being pumped. The water can contain There pollutants, such as wildlife and pet waste, oil and gasoline from parking lots and waste from sewers, according to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. Corolla, Duck and Bald Head Island have begun pumping floodwater to the ocean. If flooding continues in low-lying areas, other communities could begin pumping. Officials may not be able to post signs at all locations where the water is being discharged onto the beach. Swimmers should avoid those sites and swim far from where flood water goes into the ocean. If the water is contaminated, swimmers could suffer diarrhea, abdominal cramps and skin infections.

___

Noon

Thirteen North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Driver License offices and License Plate Agency offices across eastern and central North Carolina remain closed and some will remain closed, including: .

* Driver License offices closed until further notice: Burgaw, Edenton, Lumberton, Pembroke, Goldsboro and Tarboro.

* License Plate Agency offices closed until further notice: Hookerton, Kinston, Lumberton, Whiteville, Rocky Mount and Tarboro.

For updates, visit www.ncdot.gov/dmv/locations.

Some DMV transactions are available online at www.ncdot.gov/dmv.

___

11:50 a.m.

The City of Chesapeake says that the deadline to report storm damage has been extended, but a new date hasn't been set. To report residential damage, call 757-382-2489.

___

10:45 a.m.

The City of Suffolk will provide extra bulk waste collection to city residents through the end of the month.

The special collection will not count toward the maximum number of 12 a year, a city news release says.

One pile of up to 8 cubic yards can be placed on the curb by 7 a.m. on any collection day. Items can include appliances, furniture, mattresses, yard waste, debris and boxes. Collection will be restricted to residential waste. There's no need to call Public Works.

___

10:30 a.m.

Currituck County, N.C., officials are urging residents to report storm damage. The information is needed to help the Federal Emergency Management Agency determine who qualifies for assistance. Report damage by calling 252-232-2115.

___

10:10 a.m.

Virginia State Police Insurance Fraud Program investigators offered a few tips for avoiding fraudsters and scams during storm recovery.

* Don't hire a contractor or mechanic until you are sure your insurance will cover the work.

* Only hire a licensed contractor. Check licenses and past disciplinary records at the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation website.

* Don't inflate your claim to cover previous damage. That's a crime.

* If you suspect someone has committed insurance fraud, call state police at 1-877-62FRAUD.

___

9:50 a.m.

About 4,000 properties throughout Dare County, N.C., were affected by the hurricane with an estimated $40 million in damage. The numbers are expected to increase as assessment teams continue field work.

Entry guidelines have been updated for Hatters Island: Access to Hatteras Island

* Frisco: Visitors will be allowed access beginning at 7 a.m. Friday.

* Hatteras Village: Visitors will be allowed access beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday.

For updates on Ocracoke Island, visit hydecountync.gov.

Although eligibility has not been determined for the county to receive FEMA asssitance, individuals should go ahead and fill out a FEMA application for help to speed up the process once eligibility has been determined.

___

9:15 a.m.

Dominion Virginia Power

Electric service has been restored to all but about 900 of the 471,271 customers who were left in the dark by Hurricane Matthew last weekend. Most of the remaining outages are on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and parts of Virginia Beach that were heavily damages. All, but a few isolated customers are expected to have power today.

___

(c)2016 The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Va.)

Visit The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Va.) at pilotonline.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.