GALVESTON, Texas -- Residents of Galveston's West End Monday can take a look at their homes as long as they leave before the city's curfew begins, KPRC Local 2 reported Monday.

The "look and leave" applies to residents whose homes are from the end of the seawall to the West End. Those who participate in the look and leave must be off the island by 6 p.m.

The area still does not have water or sewer service.

The rest of Galveston's residents will be allowed to return home for good beginning on Wednesday, as city officials quickly move to fully restore the water and sewage systems.

But it will take longer to fully restore electricity, and already there have been 40 fires reported on the island as electricity has been restored to some homes and businesses.

"We are sending a very serious message to our public that you need to hear loud and clear of the risk that you are going to face when you return to the island," City Manager Steve LeBlanc said.

Galveston County health officials warned returning residents that they have to be extremely safe because there are virtually no medical services for those who get sick or hurt.

"We want to advise individuals who have certain conditions that this week is not a good time to return," Dr. Mark Guidry said. "People who have special needs, chronic diseases such as heart disease, uncontrolled diabetes, kidney disease, those who require dialysis, immune suppression, any medical condition that requires frequent care and the possibility of hospitalization, we advise you to not return to the island this week and until further notice when the public health and the medical infrastructure is prepared to assist you."

Guidry recommended that disabled persons who depend upon equipment, including oxygen, and those who are physically incapacitated not return to Galveston yet.

Guidry said residents need to be prepared when returning to the island. He recommended residents bring the following items with them:

hand sanitizer
thick, long-sleeved shirts
long pants
gloves
shoes/boots
bleach
cleaning supplies
face mask
insect repellant
bug spray
rodent control
clean drinking water
food
first aid kit
fully charged cellular phone
full tank of gas
tools
tetanus shot if not had one in past 10 years

Officials recommended residents not bring children on the island because of the amount of debris and the risk of getting sick or injured.

"There is minimal, inadequate medical support, particularly emergency medical support," Guidry said.

"At the present time, the University of Texas Medical Branch has only the most rudimentary of medical resources," said Dr. Joan Richardson with UTMB. "We have no capability for hospitalizing anyone as we have no hospital beds that are open. We have no surgery capabilities. We have no cardiac cath capabilities. We have no capabilities to deliver a baby."

Officials said they expect traffic to be very congested and advised motorists to drive slowly and cautiously as there are not adequate medical services should there be a major collision.

"If someone requires anything more than basic first aid for cuts, for bumps, for bruises, they're going to have to be stabilized as best we can and then air evacuated off this island," Richardson said.

LeBlanc said that the residents who return will need to immediately assess their situation. Residents will need to determine if they are able to live in their home or if they need to seek other shelter while their home is repaired or rebuilt.

The city is working to provide a temporary shelter off of the island for those who cannot live in their homes or find another place to live.

"This is very short term and it's not there to sustain life on the island," LeBlanc said. "If you have a long-term situation where you're not going to be able to stay here, you need to figure out something else to do. We cannot possibly provide shelter and homes and setups for you long term."

Guidry offered tips for entering homes and moving back in:

Do not use a lantern or torch when entering a home until it is clear that there are no gas leaks.
Do not enter a home with floodwater inside until authorities have determined that there is not a risk of electrical shock.
Do not place generators indoors or in garages because it could result in carbon monoxide poisoning.
Beware of snakes or other wildlife in debris.
Empty any containers with water because it is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Galveston’s Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas and Houston Mayor Bill White have left for Washington D.C. and will appear before a senate committee where they will ask for $2 billion in federal aid.

“For the city of Houston and Harris County, I think that’s an estimate that would be…appropriate,” said White.