Mayor: Dauphin Island open to visitors

DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. (WALA) - The Town of Dauphin Island is open for business and hoping to see a surge in visitors this final weekend of summer.

The sun was shining on Dauphin Island days after Hurricane Isaac dumped inches and inches of rain on the barrier island.

Friday, homeowners like Bruce Hines were taking down their storm preparations.

It is the first time for many back on the island after Isaac.

"After Hurricane Isaac, we have to unshutter the house. Most of us with property down here shuttered up in hopes that we would not get too much damage, and we did not thank goodness. Now, we all undo what we did," said Bruce Helbig.

Helbig said now is the time to prepare for guests to his Dauphin Island home.

"We have guests coming in at 3 p.m. on Saturday, and we have to get ready," said Helbig.

His island home sits yards from the Gulf of Mexico. There was no visible damage to the home.

Labor Day weekend is here, and many families will have one last hurrah before the sun sets on summer.

Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier welcomes the flood of tourists.

"We want them to come and enjoy the island, most parts of it anyway. The west end is still being restricted," said Collier. "I am very pleased with the work that has been done there so far."

A Dauphin Island police officer mans a roadblock on Bienville Boulevard.

Homeowners and workers are the only people allowed past this point while town officials continue cleaning from the high storm surge.

"The west end is a very fragile area .And because of how long the storm affected us, we got more damage than I was anticipating. But it could have been a lot worse," said Collier.

Remnants of Isaac still linger, such as water covered roads and boarded up homes.

Overall, Bruce Helbig and most people on Dauphin Island are thankful for a quick recovery from the first hurricane to come its way this season. They all hope it will be the last.

The east end fishing pier is also closed until minor repairs can be made.