GATESVILLE – A countywide curfew is still in effect while Gates County officials remain in the damage assessment mode in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

As of noon on Sunday, the State of Emergency for Gates County remains in effect. All previous restrictions have been lifted with the exception of the curfew, which will be in place from 10 p.m. Sunday through 6 a.m. Monday.

The storm shelter at the high school closed at 9 a.m. Sunday.

The ban on alcohol sales and firearms, ammunition and explosives was lifted at 12 noon on Sunday, per an order signed by Graham Twine, Chairman of the Gates County Commissioners.

Gates County Sheriff Ed Webb said Tuesday’s scheduled session of Superior Court has been canceled.

Gates County Public Schools have canceled classes for Monday

By the time the sun came up on Sunday, personnel with all volunteer fire departments within Gates County covered each road within their respective districts to conduct preliminary damage assessments. Gates County Emergency Management Director Billy Winn said a more thorough assessment will be conducted Monday by the county’s building inspector and tax office.

There is structural damage in the county. Meanwhile, most roads are passable. Some have small areas that remain flooded.

There are power outages for the vast majority of the county, with over 5,000 combined customers of Dominion Power and Roanoke Electric without electrical service. There is no known time frame for restoration. The power companies are working diligently to get power restored.

Volunteers that wish to assist in helping their neighbors clean-up storm debris can report to the Gates County Community Center on Hwy 158. Volunteers can call Reba Green-Holley at (252) 357-0677.

Stay abreast of current situations by calling (252) 357-2820 for an automated update, the County website at www.gatescounty.govoffice2.com/, local news outlets, Community Bulletin Board’s in your community, and/or Facebook, www.facebook.com/pages/gates-county/nc/emergencymanagement.