Officials Allow Residents Limited Visit to Ocean Beach

Year-round Ocean Beach residents will have a four-hour window to visit the storm-ravaged Fire Island community Saturday morning to gather belongings and assess house damage from super storm Sandy.

The limited "reoccupation" is being allowed by Islip Town, county and local government agencies. Residents are being provided a 10 a.m. ferry out of the Bay Shore terminal.

Officials stressed the visit is for year-round residents only.

“This plan is the first step that Fire Island families can take to piece their livelihoods back together,” said Islip Town Supervisor Tom Croci in a press statement issued Friday afternoon.

“Unfortunately these structures are still unfit for permanent rehabitation, but this will hopefully provide some relief to families who haven’t seen their homes in weeks.”   

State troopers will be on hand to enforce the restrictions regarding resident access. There will not be service to Seaview and Ocean Bay Park.  For more information please contact Suffolk County’s Department of Emergency Management at (631) 852-4900.