GALVESTON, Texas — The day many Galveston residents were waiting for is finally here.

At 6 a.m. today police began letting people back on Galveston Island for the first time since Hurricane Ike hit.

Traffic was backed up for 10 miles on the one major highway leading into Galveston, but things appeared to go smoothly once the city of about 57,000 started letting people in. Many people had been waiting in their cars along Interstate 45 since before dawn.

Police officers were stationed to direct traffic at major intersections where signal lights were ripped away by the hurricane's 110-mile-per-hour wind and 12-foot storm surge on Sept. 13.

City officials warned residents of the dramatic changes they would see on the island.

“When you come back, it’s not going to be the same Galveston Island you left,” said Galveston Mayor pro-tem Danny Weber. “It’s been damaged, it’s been broken.”

After spending two weeks in Austin, Galveston resident Lillian Barron came home to pick up the pieces. Her entire first floor was destroyed.

“I knew the downstairs was going to be a shocker,” she said.  “It's kind of relief to be here and see it in person.”

Most were thankful it wasn't worse.

“It's hard. It's hard to see Galveston looking like this,” Marianne Fullen said. “ But I know how lucky we are. You know. It's bad. It could've been like New Orleans. You know, the water sitting there.  From what I understand the water rushed in our homes and rushed out.  So we are fortunate."

Once residents finally arrive home, there are some precautions they have to take.

Authorities say islanders should bring a photo ID with them verifying their address or place of employment. They should bring plenty of supplies, including food and water. It’s recommended that they also bring a first aid kit, gloves, face masks and bug repellant.

Police say residents should be aware of the personal safety and health risks they might face upon arriving. There is still limited power and very little water, gas and sewer services as well as no medical facilities.

“There still remains to be a number of significant health and safety risks that we expect will exist over days to come,” said Dr. Mark Guidry, head of the Galveston County Health District. "It is important to know that the public health and medical infrastructure in Galveston is not prepared to meet the needs and there are people we are advising not to return to the island.”

To help ease the transition there will be two points of distribution that will have water, food and ice available. One is located at 47th St. and Broadway and the other at 45th St. and the seawall.

AP Photo

A woman waves to returning residents of Galveston, Texas during their first day back since Hurricane Ike struck, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008. Thousands of people returned on Wednesday for the first time since their island city was blasted by Hurricane Ike nearly two weeks ago.

FEMA will also have several mobile registration sites so people can apply for disaster assistance. A communication station will also be open at 47th St. and Broadway so residents can check their e-mail, make long distance phone calls or perhaps just take a break from all the chaos.

City manager Steve LeBlanc said a shelter that can hold roughly 100 people is set up at the Island Community Center. He hoped to open more shelters in days to come.

“The island is really not in a capacity to hold many people right now,” he said. “Many of the facilities that would otherwise be available sustained damage.”

A meeting was planned in the afternoon for business leaders to discuss how to receive assistance.

“Our new motto is ‘adapt and conquer,’” said Jeff Sjostrom, of the Galveston Economic Development Partnership.

Islanders should keep in mind that the "look and leave" policy is still in place for residents in the West End.

A curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. continues for everyone else in the island.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.