The Bryan County Board of Commissioners and officials of the cities of Pembroke and Richmond Hill have issued a mandatory "stay in place" curfew until further notice as emergency crews and power companies address the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.

"Please adhere to this and stay off the streets," said Bryan County Emergency Serives Chief Freddy Howell. "We need you to stay inside and stay off the streets. We have signficant damage throughout the county."

Richmond Hill Mayor Harold Fowler said that anyone found by law enforcement to be on the roads will be asked to return home.

"We won't be ticketing anyone, but we'll ask them to go home," he said. 

Officials are also asking that those who evacuated do not return until it can be done so safely.

"Let us get this dangerous situation under control first, let us get the roadways cleaned up so it's safe for everybody," Howell said. "Once it's safe we'll let you know when you can come back."

Some 10,000 customers countywide were still without powe as of noon Saturday. Major tree damage along Highway 204 in North Bryan County and along Highway 144 in South Bryan County knocked down several powerlines, some of which are across the roadways.