Wednesday storm center: Have a question about Hurricane Matthew recovery? We’re here to help

Oct. 12--In the spirit of helping others during a time of emergency, The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette would like to hear from you.

If you have a Hurricane Matthew-related question or information you think would be important or helpful to share with others in the aftermath of the storm, please email newsroom@islandpacket.com, comment on this story below or direct message us on the Packet's Facebook page or the Gazette's Facebook page.

We cannot check on specific home or business addresses. Please visit the section below on damage to see if you can find answers on your particular neighborhood.

We will post links to each question here as we answer them, so bookmark this page for the latest information.

How to help ...

? We want to help people affected by the storm. What can we do?

? Did you help out during Hurricane Matthew? You might be entitled to a free lunch

Where to get help ...

? Can anyone help me clean up my yard?

? Who can I call if I need help recovering from Hurricane Matthew?

? How can I keep my kids occupied while school is out?

? Can I get temporary food stamps?

? What food banks are open today and where?

? Where can I get free water on Hilton Head Island?

? Is Goodwill giving away vouchers to people affected by the storm?

? Are there any relief centers in Beaufort County where I can get a warm meal?

? I'm poor and need food -- are any local food banks open?

Cleanup and recovery questions

? What is being done to protect us against unlicensed contractors?

? Flip-flops are OK to wear when I'm using my chainsaw, right?

? What should we do about dangerous trees leaning and/or having roots exposed?

? There's a tree in the road. Who do I call to have it removed?

? What red flags should I be on the lookout for so I don't fall for a post-hurricane scam?

? How is recovery going in Northern Beaufort County?

? What should I do with all this yard debris?

? Am I allowed to start burning tree branches and yard refuse?

? What are some safety tips to know about using my generator?

? I'm a BJWSA customer. Is it safe to drink the water?

? I received an email about my power outage. Is this a scam?

? Who should I call to report utility outages?

Gas, groceries, food, supplies and services

? Are restaurants even allowed to be open on Hilton Head during a boil water advisory?

? Need ice? Or a hot meal if you're a lineman? Here's where to go in Port Royal

? Free massages for first responders and volunteers on Hilton Head Island

? When will the Walmart on Hilton Head open?

? Which gas stations are open today on Hilton Head Island?

? What restaurants are open today?

? What businesses are open today?

? What grocery stores are open today?

Insurance, legal and employment questions ...

? What if my storm-damaged tree is in danger of falling on my neighbor's house?

? Do I still get paid during the mandatory evacuation?

? Is there a simple way to file insurance claims and get questions answered right now?

? Who is responsible for this fallen tree?

? What will putting in an insurance claim for spoiled food do to my homeowner premiums?

? Do I still pay rent for the days I was gone? What if my apartment was damaged?

? Will Beaufort County employees get paid for time off for Hurricane Matthew evacuation?

Getting back to normal ...

? Can I bathe or shower on Hilton Head Island with the boil water advisory?

? Can I flush my toilet on Hilton Head Island?

? I heard the back roads to Savannah are closed. Is that true?

? Will there be a curfew Wednesday night anywhere in Beaufort County?

? When do schools expect to reopen?

? When will county offices and the libraries reopen?

? I've heard we have to restrict water and sewer use until power is back for everyone. Is that true?

? When will county dumps reopen?

? Are there any Hilton Head Island communities not allowing residents to return just yet?

? When will the Savannah airport reopen?

? Is the Hilton Head airport open and can I fly there on private aircraft?

? I've heard there will be charging stations set up. Is this true?

? How much notice will parents be given before schools reopen?

? Will Marines still be graduating on Friday?

? When will the post office, UPS and FedEx start delivery again?

? When will Beaufort County employees return to work?

? When can MCAS and Laurel Bay return?

? When will Parris Island reopen and when will personel return?

Questions about damage

? Is it true pigs flew on Hilton Head Island during Hurricane Matthew?

? Can I bring camper/trailer to Sea Pines if my home is uninhabitable?

? Is power still out in my neighborhood?

? Where are all the places I can look to find out more about damage to my neighborhood?

? Did Little Blue at Hunting Island survive the storm?

? Was your boat affected by Hurricane Matthew? Here are some tips on what to do now

? Where can I see more photos of the damage?

? Is there video of the Sea Pines damage?

? Is there a map that shows the overall damage left by Hurricane Matthew?

? What do the beaches on Hilton Head Island look like?

? Has anyone heard anything about Palmetto Dunes?

? I've heard there are aerial photos of Sea Pines. Where can I see those?

? What is Sea Pines like?

? What is the damage like at Hilton Head Boathouse?

? What is the status of the Harbor Island bridge for anyone needing to return to Harbor or Fripp islands?

? Do you know anything about these streets and neighborhoods?

? Was the Cross Island Parkway on Hilton Head damaged?

? Is it true Palmetto Bay Marina is gone?

? Hurricane damage neighborhood by neighborhood

? Do you know who can assist with removing trees from a house, so that personal items can be retrieved?

? Any information about Daufuskie Island?

? Is it true there's been damage to the bridges to Hilton Head Island?

? Any idea how much storm surge Hilton Head has encountered?

General concerns

? My pet isn't eating after the evacuation. Should I be worried?

? How many burglaries have been reported in Beaufort County over the last week?

? How do I make sure my fish are OK after the power outage?

? How is travel on the backroads between Savannah and Bluffton?

? Will this storm affect Hilton Head's chances at being voted Coastal Living's Happiest Seaside Town?

? I have a vacation scheduled on Hilton Head. Should I still come?

? Will students have to make up the days they're missing because of Hurricane Matthew?

? Have there been reports of break-ins in Beaufort County?

? Were there any storm-related injuries on Hilton Head?

? What refrigerated food is OK to keep after a power outage?

? What was it like for the people who didn't evacuate?

? What happened to the 100 people who wouldn't evacuate Daufuskie Island?

? Since there is so much flooding, will the alligators leave the lagoons and be loose on the flooded streets?

? I haven't heard from my loved one who stayed behind. Is there someone I can call?

? I received an email about my power outage. Is this a scam?

? Is it true someone was shot to death during the storm?

? Is Harley the Clydesdale safe?

? How many people stayed on Hilton Head Island?

Re-entry questions

? Can I take US 17 from Charleston to US 21, SC 170 to US 278?

? Are there any Hilton Head Island communities not allowing residents to return just yet?

? Is the Spanish Wells bridge over the marsh open?

? Is I-95 still flooded in places or is it open for travel?

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