The following press release was issued earlier today by the Town of Windsor and Bertie County:

WINDSOR – Recovery operations are underway in the Town of Windsor and Bertie County, following last week’s flooding from Tropical Storm Nicole.

Local officials have provided the following information concerning donation drop-off locations, the Cashie River Bridge closing, the relocation of the Windsor Post Office and insurance information:

Donations – Two locations are available to donate non-perishable food, personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies and clean, usable clothing: The Council of Aging building located at 103 W. School St. and the Bertie County Parks and Recreation office located at 101 W. School St., Windsor. Donations will be accepted for the next 14 days.

Cashie bridge remains closed – The Department of Transportation continues to work on the Cashie bridge on Highway 17 in Windsor. No word yet on how long the repairs will take, but for today, it remains closed. Drivers may use the Hwy. 13/17 Bypass as an alternate route from downtown Windsor north towards Edenton.

Water is safe to drink – Bertie County and all municipalities have had no reported issues with drinking water. Water is safe to drink. In addition, there have been no reported problems with private wells. If you have a concern regarding private wells, you may call Don Highsmith,

Environmental Health Program Coordinator for the Bertie County Health Department at (252) 794-5303.

Windsor post office relocated – No mail was lost when the main Windsor post office and their two delivery trucks flooded over the weekend. The post office has relocated to the old State Employees Credit Union building in the Food Lion Shopping Center, Windsor. Residents may pick up their mail there. Rural delivery has resumed.

Storm debris – Storm debris should be placed in a state road right-of-way, not in the road.

Debris will not be picked up from private roads. Separate vegetative debris from construction debris and white goods (refrigerators, stoves, washers, etc.).

Home repair and insurance information – Homeowners should document their flood damage and begin repairs and clean-up. If you have homeowners insurance, please contact your insurance agent immediately to see if you qualify for reimbursement. They can also provide documentation for uninsured losses. Most mobile home insurance policies have flood protection automatically written into their insurance policies. About 35 or 40 percent of homeowners do have flood insurance. Following Hurricane Floyd’s damaging floodwaters, most loans were required to have flood protection written into the policy.

Red Cross Site – The American Red Cross has set up an assistance site in the Council of Aging building for those in need of a hot meal or clean-up kits. The Red Cross shelter is located in the same building and currently is sheltering several families whose homes were flooded.

Baptist Men’s Association – The Baptist Men’s Association will be available to assist residents with flood-damaged homes on the west side of town of Windsor and in Bertie County. Their headquarters are located at Cashie Baptist Church on Queen St. For eligibility information, contact Gayland Moss, the Baptist Men’s Association, (800) 395-5102.

The Samaritan’s Purse – The Samaritan’s Purse will be available to assist residents with flood damaged homes on the east side of town of Windsor and in Bertie County. Their headquarters are located at the Windsor Assembly of God on 1505 S. King St. Windsor. For eligibility information, contact Todd Taylor, the Samaritan’s Purse, (828) 406-4311.

Curfew – Chief of Police Rodney Hoggard said the curfew for the Town of Windsor remains in effect. People should remain in their homes from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. This is to protect the town from looters. Bertie County does not have a curfew.