Relief -- and cleanup -- on the East End

At Nadine Hampton's Westhampton clothing store Monday morning, the force of Tropical Storm Irene long gone, the owner was hoping to serve some customers, to experience a return to normalcy.

"It's like nothing ever happened," said Hampton, 49, of Mustique on Main Street, referring to the calm, sunny weather.

Most of the East End Monday was trying to do the same -- restore routine.

In Southampton, town officials announced they had to close Town Justice Court because of a power outage in Hampton Bays. But they also reopened a portion of overwashed Dune Road and said Town Hall was open for business.

And Riverhead Town said most roads had been cleared of fallen trees and only roads with trees on power lines were awaiting LIPA response.

Like Hampton, East End residents appeared to be grateful the storm didn't leave a more destructive path.

"I'm definitely relieved," Hampton said. "I lost a lot of money this weekend. But I could be dealing with damage to the floors and my inventory."

The plywood covering her storefront's windows had been taken down, but some sandbags on the commercial block remained.

Hampton's husband, Joe Milo, 55, had to close his restaurant, Joe's American Grill, for about 90 minutes Sunday night, when power went out. When power was restored, it was too late; a full house of customers had left.

Next door to Hampton's shop, Suzanne Marchisello, 70, owner of the O'Suzanna gift shop, also was grateful the storm wasn't worse.

"Fortunately, all we lost is business," she said.

In addition to Southampton Town Hall being open, officials also said that town beaches -- except for Dune Road and Long Beach Foster Memorial -- are open.

Also, Dune Road, which had been closed because of overwashes, was partially opened about 11 a.m..

Town officials asked that residents not call 911 seeking information and said they would make information regarding storm cleanup available as soon as possible.

In a statement released to the media, the town said: "As we work to recover and return to normal, we ask for assistance from the public."

The town also said kitchen and food waste, yard debris, appliances and other damaged items will be accepted at transfer stations this week free of charge.

Kitchen and food waste related to the storm will be accepted through Wednesday at the North Sea, Hampton Bays and Westhampton transfer stations.

Storm-damaged appliances and bulk items can be taken to the Hampton Bays and North Sea transfer stations, also through Wednesday.

Brush and yard debris will be accepted at North Sea, Hampton Bays and Westhampton transfer stations through Sunday.

The Highway Department said it will conduct a special curbside pickup Monday of yard debris. All branches should be no larger than 3 inches in diameter and six feet long.

In Riverhead, Town Supervisor Sean Walter said many roads had been cleared but that a few, including Peconic Bay Boulevard in at least a few spots, remained closed because trees were entangled in power lines.

Two contractors have been hired to help clear the debris, Walter said, and the town's highway department has been working around the clock.