Topsail Island Towns Allow Limited Re-entry

TOPSAIL ISLAND – Property owners and contractors with proper passes may now return to North Topsail Beach, but some restrictions apply.

According to information from Laura Oxley, public information officer for North Topsail Beach, officials from the three towns on the island agreed Tuesday to adjust their emergency rules to allow limited re-entry beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday.

The restrictions are in place to protect life and property, North Topsail Beach officials said, and include the following:

• The curfew that is in place will change to allow residents and property owners to travel to and from their property from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Other than during this period, those on the island must be on their own property. North Topsail Beach police will be enforcing the curfew.
• Vehicles may not block state, town or private roads and must be parked on the owners’ property or it will be towed at owner’s expense.

Those who return do so at their own risk. Water, electricity and sewer have been restored in some areas but there’s no estimate of when services may be restored to the entire town. Driving conditions are hazardous throughout town because of nails and other storm debris.

Emergency services may be affected by road hazards, water supply and other dangerous conditions. Fire, police and other emergency services may be limited, delayed or unavailable.

Officials said that wildlife, such as snakes and alligators, may have an increased presence.

Damage assessments are ongoing, so information regarding electricity, building integrity and other storm-related issues may not be available.

An acceptable pass to re-enter town can include the following:

• An unexpired re-entry pass decal.
• An unexpired re-entry contractor or property manager pass.
• Documentation that demonstrates ownership or residency, such as utility bills, lease agreements or insurance statements, which must be presented along with a driver’s license or state-issued ID with corresponding names.

For contractors or property managers who do not have a permit, they may be available with proper documentation at a town site set up at North Shore Country Club.  Officials will accept as documentation a letter from the property owner that includes name and address and stated permission  to enter and work on the specified property.