{"id":11935,"date":"2024-10-05T13:58:34","date_gmt":"2024-10-05T17:58:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=11935"},"modified":"2025-02-16T09:25:16","modified_gmt":"2025-02-16T14:25:16","slug":"hurricane-helene-post-storm-response","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/hurricane-helene-post-storm-response\/","title":{"rendered":"Hurricane Helene Post-Storm Response"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-11935\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-11935-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style\" ><div class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-11935-0\" ><div id=\"pgc-11935-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-11935-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) continues to respond to Hurricane Helene by coordinating with affected local health districts and partner agencies.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-11984 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/VDH-helps-Helene-300x300.png\" alt=\"Health districts in southwestern Virginia support Helene victims.\" width=\"273\" height=\"273\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/VDH-helps-Helene-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/VDH-helps-Helene-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/VDH-helps-Helene-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/VDH-helps-Helene-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/VDH-helps-Helene.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 273px) 100vw, 273px\" \/>VDH, the local health districts and staff from the Medical Reserve Corps are staffing the Virginia Emergency Operations Center, the VDEM Regional Coordination Center and the Disaster Recovery Center.\u00a0They have assisted with sheltering operations, mobile health services, water distribution centers, storm cleanup and drinking water testing.<\/p>\n<p>VDH is providing information <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/severe-weather-preparedness\/food-safety\/\">food safety<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/public-health-toxicology\/mold\/\">mold clean up<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/2024-news-releases\/virginia-department-of-health-advises-virginians-to-avoid-natural-water-bodies-after-tropical-cyclone-helene\/\">natural water safety<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/drinking-water\/boil-water-faqs\/\">boil water instructions<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/onsite-sewage-water-services-updated\/\">well cleanup and safety<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/severe-weather-preparedness\/post-storm-cleanup\/\">post-storm cleanup<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-11935-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-accordion\" data-index=\"1\" ><div id=\"Clinician\" class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-11935-0-0-1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-accordion so-widget-sow-accordion-default-1093c852c5aa-11935\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">Clinician Information and Resources<\/h3><div>\n\t<div class=\"sow-accordion\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t sow-accordion-panel-open\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"baxter-iv-fluid-disruption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-baxter-iv-fluid-disruption\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-baxter-iv-fluid-disruption\" aria-expanded=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBaxter IV Fluid Disruption\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-baxter-iv-fluid-disruption\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-baxter-iv-fluid-disruption\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Baxter IV Fluid Disruption<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/disruption-in-production-of-intravenous-iv-fluid-due-to-impacts-from-hurricane-helene-update-3\/\">Disruption in Production of intravenous (IV) Fluid due to Impacts from Hurricane Helene- Update #3\u202f<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/disruption-in-production-of-intravenous-iv-fluid-due-to-impacts-from-hurricane-helene-update-2\/\">Disruption in Production of Intravenous (IV) Fluid Due to Impacts from Hurricane Helene\u2014Update #2<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/about\/news\/2024\/10\/18\/fact-sheet-hhs-continues-action-increase-access-supply-iv-fluids-hurricane-helene.html\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW25894465 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW25894465 BCX0\">Fact Sheet: HHS Continues Taking Action to Increase Access and Supply of IV Fluids Following Hurricane Helene<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW25894465 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ashp.org\/-\/media\/assets\/drug-shortages\/docs\/drug-resources-conservation-strategies-iv-fluids.pdf\">Small- and Large-Volume Fluid Shortages Suggestions for Management and Conservation<\/a>\n<ul>\n<li>Use a saline lock where possible over routine spiking of IV solutions for minor procedures.<\/li>\n<li>Limit placement of IV\/irrigation fluids in a warmer unless for immediate use to avoid expiring product.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid pre-spiking IV and irrigation fluids.<\/li>\n<li>Add a \u201cfluid needs\u201d review to the multi-day look ahead process for surgical areas.<\/li>\n<li>Review IV fluid and medication compatibility before spiking bags.<\/li>\n<li>Leverage non-titratable medication infusing above 20ml\/hr. as carriers in place of dedicated KVO.<\/li>\n<li>Print applicable drip rounds reports and review medication infusions for appropriateness and\/or opportunity to discontinue to decrease rates.<\/li>\n<li>Transition to 10ml saline flush syringes for initial patency check, when possible.<\/li>\n<li>Conserve larger volume bags by using mini bags for blood product administration when appropriate.<\/li>\n<li>Implement strategies to encourage IV push-over IV infusion.<\/li>\n<li>Utilize premixed medications to offset the need to compound medications.<\/li>\n<li>Consider IV\/PO thiamine in lieu of \u201cbanana bags\u201d; Bariatric patients \u2013 consider IV thiamine.<\/li>\n<li>Convert to saline lock when patient tolerates PO fluids.<\/li>\n<li>Utilize oral electrolyte alternatives for those with functional GI tract (Phosphate, magnesium, potassium).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/emergency.cdc.gov\/han\/2024\/pdf\/CDC_HAN_518.pdf\">CDC Health Advisory<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/about\/news\/2024\/10\/09\/letter-health-care-leaders-stakeholders-impacts-hurricane-helene-secretary-becerra.html\">Letter to Health Care Leaders and Stakeholders on Impacts of Hurricane Helene from Secretary Becerra<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/updates-2024-hurricane-season\/hurricane-helene-baxters-manufacturing-recovery-north-carolina\">USFDA Baxter's Manufacturing Recovery in NC<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baxter.com\/baxter-newsroom\/hurricane-helene-updates\">Baxter Hurricane Helene Updates<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/update-on-disruption-in-production-of-intravenous-iv-fluid-due-to-impacts-from-hurricane-helene\/\">Update on Disruption in Production of Intravenous (IV) Fluid Due to Impacts from Hurricane Helene\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/news-events\/press-announcements\/fda-roundup-october-11-2024\">FDA Round Up -- October 11, 202<\/a>4<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baxter.com\/sites\/g\/files\/ebysai3896\/files\/2024-10\/10-1_RenalMedical%20Information%20Letter.pdf\">Dialysis Management and Conservation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/meded.baxter.com\/sites\/g\/files\/ebysai4096\/files\/2024-10\/Temporary%20Importation%20Report%2010.24.24_Final.pdf\">Products authorized for temporary importation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/meded.baxter.com\/sites\/g\/files\/ebysai4096\/files\/2024-10\/ExtendedExpDatesIVSolutions%20v2.pdf\">Expiration Dating Extensions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/regulatory-information\/search-fda-guidance-documents\/temporary-policies-compounding-certain-parenteral-drug-products\">Temporary Policies for Compounding Certain Parenteral Drug Products<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-11935-0-0-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-accordion\" data-index=\"2\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-accordion so-widget-sow-accordion-default-1093c852c5aa-11935\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">Post-Storm Safety Information<\/h3><div>\n\t<div class=\"sow-accordion\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"tetanus-and-hepatitis-a-vaccines\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-tetanus-and-hepatitis-a-vaccines\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-tetanus-and-hepatitis-a-vaccines\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTetanus and Hepatitis A Vaccines\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-tetanus-and-hepatitis-a-vaccines\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-tetanus-and-hepatitis-a-vaccines\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Free Tetanus &amp; Hepatitis A vaccines are currently available through the Mount Rogers Health District all local health departments. On Monday, October 7, health department staff will return to the Damascus Food City parking lot, and Taylors Valley to provide free vaccines on site.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-11961 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/vaccines-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Graphic with vaccine clinic locations in Mount Rogers Health District.\" width=\"475\" height=\"475\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/vaccines-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/vaccines-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/vaccines-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/vaccines-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/vaccines.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 475px) 100vw, 475px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts are offering free Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) vaccines to those affected by the flooding, responding to emergency situations, or those assisting with the recovery. The vaccines are available for free at all health departments in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/cumberland-plateau\/offices\/\">Cumberland Plateau<\/a> (Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell) and in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/lenowisco\/contact-us\/\">LENOWISCO<\/a> (Lee, Scott, Wise) during regular business hours, Monday-Friday.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"mold\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-mold\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-mold\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMold\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-mold\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-mold\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Floodwaters can cause #mold growth in your home. Mold can damage property &amp; is a health hazard. Proper cleaning is necessary to protect you &amp; your family. Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/public-health-toxicology\/mold\/\">our mold advisory page<\/a> for more info about mold cleanup &amp; prevention.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mold-health\/media\/pdfs\/2024\/03\/mold-cleanup.pdf\">8 Steps to Clean Up Mold<\/a>\u00a0(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mold-health\/media\/pdfs\/2024\/03\/MOLD_INFOGRAPHIC_final_ESP_508.pdf\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mold-health\/media\/pdfs\/2024\/03\/Shopping_List_For_Post_Flooding_Mold_Cleanup_English.pdf\">Shopping List for Cleaning Mold in Your Home<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mold-health\/media\/pdfs\/2024\/03\/Shopping_List_For_Post_Flooding_Mold_Cleanup_SP.pdf\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mold-health\/media\/Homeowners_and_Renters_Guide.pdf\">Homeowner and Renter's Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mold-health\/media\/IEPWG_Mold_Homeowners_and_Renters_Spanish_508.pdf\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"food-safety\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-food-safety\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-food-safety\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFood Safety\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-food-safety\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-food-safety\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>It is important to take careful precautions to ensure <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/food-safety\/media\/pdfs\/eat_safe-r5-infographic2-h.pdf\">food safety after a power outage<\/a>.\u00a0 Discard any food that has been at room temperature for two hours or more, and any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture. Just remember, \u201cWhen in doubt, throw it out!\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/food-safety-in-virginia\/emergencies\/\">Here<\/a> are basic tips for keeping food safe following a power outage or flooding. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/food-safety\/media\/pdfs\/eat-safe-infographic-spanish-h.pdf\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/media\/72124\/download\">Food and Water Safety During Power Outages and Floods<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/media\/72126\/download\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"natural-water-safety\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-natural-water-safety\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-natural-water-safety\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNatural Water Safety\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-natural-water-safety\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-natural-water-safety\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Virginia Department of Health advises the public to avoid natural water bodies across the commonwealth after Tropical Cyclone Helene. During heavy rainfall and flooding, pollution and debris from the land washes into rivers, lakes and streams and eventually winds up in our coastal waterways.<\/p>\n<p>To stay safe all Virginians should follow the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/2024-news-releases\/virginia-department-of-health-advises-virginians-to-avoid-natural-water-bodies-after-tropical-cyclone-helene\/\">safety tips here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"post-storm-cleanup\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-post-storm-cleanup\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-post-storm-cleanup\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPost-Storm Cleanup\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-post-storm-cleanup\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-post-storm-cleanup\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>After a storm has passed, failure to remove contaminated materials from your home can cause health risks. If there is flooding along with a storm, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) advises homeowners that water must be removed as quickly as possible since it may contain material from overflowing sewage systems. Visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/severe-weather-preparedness\/post-storm-cleanup\/\">post-storm clean up page<\/a> for more information<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"carbon-monoxide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-carbon-monoxide\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-carbon-monoxide\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCarbon Monoxide \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-carbon-monoxide\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-carbon-monoxide\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is poisonous to breathe. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build up when the exhaust from grills or generators is not properly vented. The gas emitted by these sources can linger for hours, even after the generator or grill has shut off. Operate all gasoline-powered devices such as generators outdoors and never bring them indoors.<\/p>\n<p>VDH recommends <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/severe-weather-preparedness\/carbon-monoxide-poisoning\/\">these precautions<\/a> to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"infant-feeding-during-an-emergency\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-infant-feeding-during-an-emergency\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-infant-feeding-during-an-emergency\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInfant Feeding During an Emergency\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-infant-feeding-during-an-emergency\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-infant-feeding-during-an-emergency\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Natural disasters can make it hard for parents and caregivers to feed their infants and young children safely. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/breastfeeding\/php\/guidelines-recommendations\/feeding-your-child-safely-during-a-disaster.html\">These tips<\/a> provide information for feeding your young child during an emergency.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/infant-feeding-emergencies-toolkit\/media\/pdfs\/FAQ-IYCF-E-508.pdf\">Infant Feeding FAQs<\/a>\u00a0(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/infant-feeding-emergencies-toolkit\/media\/pdfs\/common-feeding-faqs-es-508.pdf\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/nutrition\/emergencies-infant-feeding\/downloads\/pages\/breastfeeding-during-emergencies-IYCF-E-H.pdf\">Breastfeeding During Disasters<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-11935-0-0-3\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-accordion\" data-index=\"3\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-accordion so-widget-sow-accordion-default-1093c852c5aa-11935\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">Boil Water Advisories<\/h3><div>\n\t<div class=\"sow-accordion\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"current-advisories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-current-advisories\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-current-advisories\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCurrent Advisories\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-current-advisories\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-current-advisories\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>No Current Advisories<\/p>\n<p><span data-teams=\"true\"><span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\">For more information about public water or public sewer, contact the owner of the utility that provides that service to you (e.g., the utility that sends you a monthly water\/sewer bill).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"what-does-boil-water-advisory-mean\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-what-does-boil-water-advisory-mean\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-what-does-boil-water-advisory-mean\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat Does Boil Water Advisory Mean\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-what-does-boil-water-advisory-mean\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-what-does-boil-water-advisory-mean\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>If under a boil water advisory, residents can safely use the water supply for bathing, toilet flushing, laundry, and other uses not associated with consumption or ingestion.<\/p>\n<p>Do <strong>not<\/strong> use the water for activities associated with consumption, including drinking, beverage and food preparation (including baby formula and juice), dishwashing, cleaning food contact surfaces, making ice or coffee, and brushing teeth. Parents are encouraged to closely monitor children who take a bath to avoid ingestion at this time.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-11983 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/BWA-300x300.png\" alt=\"Graphic about Boil Water Advisory\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"heading-5kqliaqe9u\">Drinking and cooking<\/h3>\n<p>Use commercially bottled water or boiled water for drinking and to prepare and cook food.<\/p>\n<p>Breastfeeding is the\u00a0<a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/breastfeeding\/php\/guidelines-recommendations\/feeding-your-child-safely-during-a-disaster.html\">best option for feeding an infant<\/a>. If you feed your child formula, provide ready-to-use formula if possible.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"heading-phmp01txvc\">Handwashing<\/h3>\n<p>In many cases, you can use tap water and soap to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/clean-hands\/about\/index.html\">wash your hands<\/a>\u00a0during a boil water advisory. Follow the advice from your local officials.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"heading-swkj8wnhvk\">Bathing and showering<\/h3>\n<p>There is no need to boil water for bathing or showering. Adults, teens, and older children, can shower or bathe, though they should avoid getting water in the mouth or swallowing the water. Use caution when bathing infants and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.<\/p>\n<p>However, care should be taken to prevent water from getting into deep open or post-surgical wounds. Consult your physician or health care provider for wound care instructions.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"heading-hpwuphwtsl\">Brushing teeth<\/h3>\n<p>Brush your teeth using boiled water or commercially bottled water. Do not use tap water that you have not boiled first.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"heading-nidhdfdogt\">Washing dishes<\/h3>\n<p>If possible, use disposable plates, cups, and utensils during a boil water advisory.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/hygiene\/faq\/index.html#cdc_faqs_cat3-sanitizing\">Sanitize<\/a>\u00a0all baby bottles.<\/p>\n<p>Dishwashers are generally safe to use if they have a sanitizing cycle or reach a final rinse temperature of at least 150\u00b0F (66\u00b0C). Check the manual or contact the manufacturer to find out what temperature your dishwater reaches.<\/p>\n<p>To wash dishes by hand:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"nested-list nested-list--letters \">\n<li class=\"level-1\">Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water.<\/li>\n<li class=\"level-1\">In a separate basin, add 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each gallon of warm water.<\/li>\n<li class=\"level-1\">Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least one minute.<\/li>\n<li class=\"level-1\">Let the dishes air dry completely before using them again.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3 id=\"heading-6bpuk7fxny\">Laundry<\/h3>\n<p>It is safe to wash clothes as usual.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"heading-az6nktt6ia\">Cleaning<\/h3>\n<p>Clean washable toys and surfaces with:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"nested-list\">\n<li class=\"level-1\">Commercially bottled water,<\/li>\n<li class=\"level-1\">Boiled water, or<\/li>\n<li class=\"level-1\">Water that has been\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/water-emergency\/about\/index.html#cdc_health_safety_special_topic_types-disinfect\">disinfected with bleach<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"heading-zuo5-cxgpm\">Caring for pets<\/h3>\n<p>Give pets commercially bottled water or boiled water that has cooled. Pets can get sick from some of the same germs as people or spread germs to people.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"heading-z_tniwimbi\">Caring for your garden and houseplants<\/h3>\n<p>You can use tap water for houseplants and gardens, including watering plants you eat.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"boil-water-instructions-and-faqs\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-boil-water-instructions-and-faqs\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-boil-water-instructions-and-faqs\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBoil Water Instructions and FAQs\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-boil-water-instructions-and-faqs\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-boil-water-instructions-and-faqs\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>After an emergency, your tap water may not be available or safe to use.\u00a0Use bottled, boiled, or treated water to avoid getting sick.\u00a0Boiling is the best way to kill germs in water.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11951 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/boilwater-300x160.jpg\" alt=\"Boil Water Advisory graphic\" width=\"300\" height=\"160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/boilwater-300x160.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/boilwater.jpg 477w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If your residence is under a boil water advisory, <strong>do not<\/strong> use that water to drink, wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash or prepare food, wash your hands, make ice, or make baby formula.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, use bottled,\u00a0<a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/water-emergency\/about\/index.html#cdc_health_safety_special_topic_how-boil\">boiled<\/a>, or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/water-emergency\/about\/index.html#cdc_health_safety_special_topic_types-disinfect\">treated<\/a>\u00a0water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"heading-rr17frhnki\">Steps for boiling water<\/h3>\n<p><strong>If the water is cloudy<\/strong>, first filter it through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter. Another option is to let it settle. Then, draw off the clear water and follow the steps below.<\/p>\n<ol class=\"nested-list nested-list--letters \">\n<li class=\"level-1\">Bring clear water to a rolling boil for 1 minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes).<\/li>\n<li class=\"level-1\">Let the boiled water cool.<\/li>\n<li class=\"level-1\">Store the boiled water in\u00a0<a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/water-emergency\/about\/how-to-create-and-store-an-emergency-water-supply.html#cdc_health_safety_special_topic_risks-cleaning-and-sanitizing-a-water-storage-container-before-use\">clean, sanitized containers<\/a>\u00a0with tight covers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Watch a video of these instructions <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/e12QsT9PL0c?si=vGt3Ifum9Nks-5ff\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/drinking-water\/boil-water-faqs\/\">Boil Water FAQs<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/water-emergency\/media\/pdfs\/make-water-safe-during-emergency-p.pdf\">Make Water Safe During an Emergency<\/a>\u00a0(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/water-emergency\/media\/pdfs\/make-water-safe-during-emergency-spanish-p.pdf\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/water-emergency\/media\/pdfs\/334749-B_UseSafeWater-OnePager-508.pdf\">Use Safe Water During an Emergency<\/a> \u00a0(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/water-emergency\/media\/pdfs\/16_262392-b_drink-safe-water_spflyer_508.pdf\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a>)<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"emergency-disinfection-of-water\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-emergency-disinfection-of-water\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-emergency-disinfection-of-water\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmergency Disinfection of Water\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-emergency-disinfection-of-water\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-emergency-disinfection-of-water\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>In an emergency situation where regular water service has been interrupted \u2013 like a hurricane, flood, or water pipe breakage \u2013 local authorities may recommend using only bottled water, boiled water, or disinfected water until regular water service is restored.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/ground-water-and-drinking-water\/emergency-disinfection-drinking-water\">These instructions<\/a> show you how to boil and disinfect water to kill most disease-causing microorganisms that may be present in the water. However, boiling or disinfection will not destroy other contaminants, such as heavy metals, salts, and most other chemicals.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/espanol.epa.gov\/espanol\/desinfeccion-de-agua-potable-en-situaciones-de-emergencia\" data-once=\"external-links protected-links\">Informaci\u00f3n relacionada disponible en espa\u00f1ol<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-11935-0-0-4\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-accordion panel-last-child\" data-index=\"4\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-accordion so-widget-sow-accordion-default-1093c852c5aa-11935\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">Private Well Safety and Testing<\/h3><div>\n\t<div class=\"sow-accordion\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"free-residential-private-drinking-water-well-program\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-free-residential-private-drinking-water-well-program\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-free-residential-private-drinking-water-well-program\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFree Residential Private Drinking Water Well Program\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-free-residential-private-drinking-water-well-program\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-free-residential-private-drinking-water-well-program\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is offering free test kits for individuals who have residential private drinking water wells impacted by the recent flooding in Southwest Virginia. Any well submerged during the recent flooding event is likely to be contaminated, even if there is no apparent damage.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559737&quot;:36}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The free private well test kits are available to residents in the counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe, and the City of Radford. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To qualify for testing, the well must first be <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu\/files\/SHOCK442-663_PDF.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">disinfected and flushed<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\">(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/Esp-Desinfeccio\u0301n-Pozo-de-Agua442-663.pdf\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a>)<\/span>. VDH recommends having a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vawaterwellassociation.org\/about\/membercenter\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">well driller<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> assist with this process. For those choosing to disinfect the well themselves, all safety precautions and instructions should be followed using <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu\/files\/442-663.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">these instructions<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"requesting-a-test-kit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-requesting-a-test-kit\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-requesting-a-test-kit\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRequesting a Test Kit\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-requesting-a-test-kit\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-requesting-a-test-kit\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Well users may call the VDH Call Center at 877-829-4682 (Option 2) to request testing or fill out the survey using <a href=\"https:\/\/redcap.link\/WellTestingHelene\">this link.<\/a> \u00a0The VDH Call Center is available Monday\u2013Friday (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n<p>Well users may pick up test kits Monday through Friday at a local health department or at designated Helene FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers.<\/p>\n<p>To qualify for testing, the well must first be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu\/files\/SHOCK442-663_PDF.pdf\">disinfected and flushed<\/a>\u00a0<span data-teams=\"true\"><span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\">(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/Esp-Desinfeccio\u0301n-Pozo-de-Agua442-663.pdf\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a>)<\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"private-well-bacteriological-sample-collection-instructions\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-private-well-bacteriological-sample-collection-instructions\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-private-well-bacteriological-sample-collection-instructions\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrivate Well Bacteriological Sample Collection Instructions \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-private-well-bacteriological-sample-collection-instructions\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-private-well-bacteriological-sample-collection-instructions\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Virginia Department of Health<br \/>\n<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Private Well Bacteriological Sample Collection Instructions<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:2,&quot;335551620&quot;:2}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:2,&quot;335551620&quot;:2}\">\u00a0<\/span>Please read instructions completely before collecting your sample.\u00a0Do <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>not<\/strong><\/span> remove caps from sample bottle until you are ready to take the sample.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">\u00a0<b>Instructions:<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Choose the faucet where you will collect the sample.\u00a0 VDH recommends using the cold water tap in the kitchen.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Be sure the area around the faucet is clean, and all items are removed to minimize splashing.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Do not remove the aerator on the faucet.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Turn on the water and let is run for at least one (1) minute to flush out the pipes.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">While the water is running, wash your hands thoroughly to ensure there is no cross-contamination of the bacteria sample.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Remove the cap from the sample bottle and fill the bottle just above the 100ml mark on the bottle when looking at the water line and the mark on the bottle at eye level.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Replace cap when full.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Return you sample kit to the <span class=\"TextRun SCXW265800575 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW265800575 BCX0\">nearest <\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW265800575 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/egateway.fema.gov\/ESF6\/DRCLocator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW265800575 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW265800575 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Center<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW265800575 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW265800575 BCX0\">or <\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW265800575 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/local-health-districts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW265800575 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW265800575 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">local health department<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW265800575 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW265800575 BCX0\"> locat<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW265800575 BCX0\">ion within the <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW265800575 BCX0\">Cumberland Plateau, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW265800575 BCX0\">LENOWISCO<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW265800575 BCX0\">, Mount Rogers, or New River health district<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW265800575 BCX0\">s <\/span><\/span> \u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Try to collect the sample in the afternoon, as close to when you will be dropping off samples as possible.<\/li>\n<li><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sample kits must be returned Monday through Thursday <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">by 4:00 p.m. on the same day the sample is taken<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Treat bottles with care! \u00a0Samples will be rejected if it arrives in a bottle not provided in the kit, or if the bottle is broken or cracked.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Fill out the location information on the submittal form.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Once the sample is dropped off at the local health department, the sample will then be shipped to the laboratory for analysis.\u00a0 Samples are to be shipped at room temperature by the local health department. It may take 2 to 3 days to receive test results.\u00a0 The local health department will contact you with the results.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"where-to-return-the-test-kit-for-analysis\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-where-to-return-the-test-kit-for-analysis\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-where-to-return-the-test-kit-for-analysis\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhere to Return the Test Kit for Analysis\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-where-to-return-the-test-kit-for-analysis\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-where-to-return-the-test-kit-for-analysis\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\">Tests must be returned <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\">Monday through Thursday to <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\">the nearest <\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW232715446 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/egateway.fema.gov\/ESF6\/DRCLocator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW232715446 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Center<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\">or <\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW232715446 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/local-health-districts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW232715446 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">local health department<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\"> locat<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\">ion within the <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\">Cumberland Plateau, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\">LENOWISCO<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\">, Mount Rogers, or New River health district<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\">s<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\">. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\">Samples should <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\">be <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\">delivered to one of the available locations by 4 p.m. on the same day the <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\">sample<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\"> is taken<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\">.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW232715446 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW232715446 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"private-drinking-water-well-safety-and-testing-faqs\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-private-drinking-water-well-safety-and-testing-faqs\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-private-drinking-water-well-safety-and-testing-faqs\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrivate Drinking Water Well Safety and Testing FAQs\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-private-drinking-water-well-safety-and-testing-faqs\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-private-drinking-water-well-safety-and-testing-faqs\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Private Drinking Water Well Safety and Testing FAQs <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>If my residential well was in the flooded area, is it safe to use?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If your well was inundated by flood waters, it should not be used for consumption until it has been disinfected, flushed, and tested.<\/p>\n<p>Until your residential private well has been disinfected, flushed and tested, do not use the water for activities associated with consumption, including drinking, beverage and food preparation (including baby formula and juice), dishwashing, cleaning food contact surfaces, making ice or coffee, and brushing teeth. Parents are encouraged to closely monitor children who take a bath to avoid ingestion.<\/p>\n<p>You can safely use the well water for bathing, toilet flushing, laundry, and other uses not associated with consumption or ingestion.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How do I know if I need to flush my residential well?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Visually inspect the well for obvious signs of damage, maintain a safe distance to avoid electrical shock from the well if the wellhead is flooded, buried, or clearly broken by fallen trees or branches. Observe the water at the tap for discoloration, odor, or sediment.<\/p>\n<p>If your water is cloudy or muddy, the well and waterlines should be flushed until the water has cleared.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How can VDH help with my flooded well? <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is providing free testing of residential private drinking water wells impacted by Hurricane Helene.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Why is VDH offering free private residential well testing?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Private drinking water wells are vulnerable to flooding. Storm surges can destroy above ground well structures and damage well casings. This can allow contaminated water to enter wells. The water can also contaminate shallow aquifers and impact groundwater quality. The contamination may only have a short-term effect if localized and adequately flushed and treated but may also last after the flood waters have long receded.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who is eligible for the free private residential well testing?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>To be eligible for free testing, you must have a private residential well impacted by flooding and be located in the following localities: counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe, and the City of Radford.<\/p>\n<p>The well must also be disinfected and flushed. The local health department can assist users in how to assess their well and provide guidance on flushing and disinfection.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What will VDH ask, if I request well testing?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>VDH has developed an <a href=\"https:\/\/redcap.vdh.virginia.gov\/redcap\/surveys\/?s=DL3CE7A7HAFHT73W\">online survey<\/a> for well users impacted by Hurricane Helene.<\/p>\n<p>VDH is asking well users if their well was flooded or damaged, providing information on well disinfection and flushing, and asking if they have an interest in getting their well tested.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>How do I request a test kit to test my private, residential well?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Well users may call the VDH Call Center at 877-829-4682 (Option 2) to request testing or fill out the survey using <a href=\"https:\/\/redcap.link\/WellTestingHelene\">this link.<\/a> \u00a0The VDH Call Center is available Monday\u2013Friday (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n<p>Well users may pick up test kits Monday through Friday at a local health department or at designated Helene FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers.<\/p>\n<p>To qualify for testing, the well must first be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu\/files\/SHOCK442-663_PDF.pdf\">disinfected and flushed<\/a>\u00a0<span data-teams=\"true\"><span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\">(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/Esp-Desinfeccio\u0301n-Pozo-de-Agua442-663.pdf\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a>)<\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>How do I disinfect and flush my well?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>VDH recommends having a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vawaterwellassociation.org\/about\/membercenter\/\">well driller<\/a> assist with this process. For those choosing to disinfect the well themselves, all safety precautions and instructions should be followed using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu\/files\/442-663.pdf\">these instructions<\/a>\u00a0<span data-teams=\"true\"><span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\">(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/Esp-Desinfeccio\u0301n-Pozo-de-Agua442-663.pdf\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a>).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Who takes the sample at my residence?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Well users may take the sample or request that their local health department assist them.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How is the test conducted?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The test is simply filling the container provided in the test kit with water from the most frequently used point for drinking in the home (typically the kitchen faucet).\u00a0 Well users will be provided with instructions on how to collect the sample with the test kit.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who is analyzing the sample?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>VDH will be sending the samples to Virginia\u2019s Department of General Services Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS).<\/p>\n<p><strong>What are they testing for?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The kits will include the tools necessary to collect samples for testing for total coliform and <em>E.coli<\/em>. Test results will only indicate if the well is contaminated for total coliform or <em>E. coli.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>What is total coliform?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Total coliforms are a group of bacteria that are commonly found in soil, vegetation, and the intestines of mammals, including humans. They are used as an indicator of water quality and the sanitary condition of a water supply. While total coliforms are usually not harmful, their presence indicates that the water may be contaminated by more harmful microorganisms.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>What is <em>E .coli<\/em>?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>E. coli <\/em>is a type of coliform. Most <em>E. coli <\/em>are harmless and are part of a healthy intestinal tract. <em>E. coli<\/em> help us digest food, produce vitamins, and protect us from harmful germs. But some <em>E. coli<\/em> can make people sick with diarrhea, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, sepsis, and other illnesses.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where do I return the sample for analysis?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Tests must be returned Monday through Thursday to the nearest Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Center or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/local-health-districts\/\">local health department<\/a> location within the Cumberland Plateau, LENOWISCO, Mount Rogers, or New River health districts. Samples should be delivered to one of the available locations by 4 p.m. on the same day the sample is taken.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How will I receive my test results?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Health department staff will call you with the test results. They will also either mail you a hard copy of the results or hand deliver a hard copy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>When will I receive results?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The test results should be ready in 2 to 3 days after the sample is submitted.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"private-well-safety\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-private-well-safety\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-private-well-safety\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPrivate Well Safety\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-private-well-safety\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-private-well-safety\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Your well water might not be safe to drink from after a natural disaster. Floods and hurricanes can contaminate your water supply. Learn how you can protect your private well <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/environmental-health\/onsite-sewage-water-services-updated\/before-and-after-the-storm-private-wells-and-onsite-sewage-systems\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/03\/Hurricance-Major-Storm-Flooding-Response-1.pdf\">Private Well Information Sheet<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/10\/DPR_Wells_Septic_Infographic_8.5x11_v3.pdf\">Safeguarding Your Well &amp; Septic System Against Flooding Hazards<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellwater.bse.vt.edu\/files\/SHOCK442-663_PDF.pdf\">Shock Chlorination<\/a><span data-teams=\"true\"><span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\"> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/Esp-Desinfeccio\u0301n-Pozo-de-Agua442-663.pdf\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a>)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-teams=\"true\"><span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\">For more information on private wells or septic systems, contact your <a id=\"menur1lg\" class=\"fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn\" title=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/local-health-districts\/\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/local-health-districts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Link local health department\">local health department<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-11935-0-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-11935-0-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"5\" ><div class=\"incident-resources-box panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-11935-0-1-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">Resources<\/h3>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vaemergency.gov\/recover\/hurricane-helene-faq\">VDEM Hurricane Helene FAQs<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vaemergency.gov\/recover\/hurricane-helene\">VDEM Hurricane Helene Response<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dmas.virginia.gov\/hurricane-emergency-response\/\">DMAS Hurricane Helene Response<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/briefing-room\/presidential-actions\/2024\/10\/02\/president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-virginia-major-disaster-declaration\/\">Major Disaster Declaration<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/egateway.fema.gov\/ESF6\/DRCLocator\">Disaster Recovery Center Locator<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-11935-0-1-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor\" data-index=\"6\" ><div class=\"incident-resources-box panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-11935-0-1-1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">For More Info:<\/h3>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>VDH Call Center<\/strong><\/span><br \/>\n877-829-4682<br \/>\n(Option 2)<br \/>\nMonday\u2013Friday<br \/>\n(no holidays)<br \/>\n8 a.m. to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/local-health-districts\/\">VDH Local Health Districts<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><strong>Federal Assistance<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/fema.net\/hqss\/rrshare\/SHARE\/AGREES\/Florida\/2024\/4806%20Debby\/www.DisasterAssistance.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"7\">www.DisasterAssistance.gov<\/a><br \/>\n800-621-FEMA (3362)<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ready.gov\/fema-app\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"8\">FEMA App<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-11935-0-1-2\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"7\" ><div class=\"incident-resources-box panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-11935-0-1-2\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">News Releases<\/h3>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/2024-regional-news-releases\/virginia-department-of-health-offers-free-testing-for-private-wells-impacted-by-recent-flood\/\">Virginia Department of Health Offers Free Testing for Private Wells Impacted by Recent Flood<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/el-departamento-de-salud-de-virginia-ofrece-pruebas-gratuitas-para-los-pozos-de-agua-privados-afectados-por-las-recientes-inundaciones\/\">en espa\u00f1ol<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/Virginia Department of Health\u2019s Southwest Health Districts Offer Guidance During Boil Water Notices\">Virginia Department of Health\u2019s Southwest Health Districts\u00a0Offer Guidance During Boil Water Notices<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/2024-regional-news-releases\/virginia-department-of-healths-southwest-health-districts-offer-safety-tips-for-private-wells-and-septic-systems\/\">Virginia Department of Health\u2019s Southwest Health Districts Offer Safety\u00a0Tips for Private Wells and Septic Systems<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/2024-regional-news-releases\/mount-rogers-health-district-offers-free-tetanus-and-hepatitis-a-vaccines\/\">Mount Rogers Health District Offers Free Tetanus and Hepatitis A Vaccines<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/2024-regional-news-releases\/lenowisco-and-cumberland-plateau-health-districts-offer-free-tdap-vaccines\/\">LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts Offer Free Tdap Vaccines<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/2024-regional-news-releases\/virginia-department-of-healths-southwest-health-districts-offer-tips-to-prevent-injuries-and-foodborne-illness\/\">Virginia Department of Health\u2019s Southwest Health Districts Offer Tips to Prevent Injuries and Foodborne Illness<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/2024-news-releases\/virginia-department-of-health-advises-virginians-to-avoid-natural-water-bodies-after-tropical-cyclone-helene\/\">Virginia Department of Health Advises Virginians to Avoid Natural Water Bodies After Tropical Cyclone Helene<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.governor.virginia.gov\/newsroom\/news-releases\/2024\/september\/name-1033965-en.html\">Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Virginia\u2019s Federal Emergency Declaration Has Been Approved to Aid Recovery Efforts in Southwest Virginia<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) continues to respond to Hurricane Helene by coordinating with affected local health districts and partner agencies. VDH, the local health districts and staff from the Medical Reserve Corps are staffing the Virginia Emergency Operations Center, the VDEM Regional Coordination Center and the Disaster Recovery Center.\u00a0They have assisted with sheltering [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":444,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11935","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Hurricane Helene Post-Storm Response - Newsroom<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/hurricane-helene-post-storm-response\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Hurricane Helene Post-Storm Response - Newsroom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) continues to respond to Hurricane Helene by coordinating with affected local health districts and partner agencies. VDH, the local health districts and staff from the Medical Reserve Corps are staffing the Virginia Emergency Operations Center, the VDEM Regional Coordination Center and the Disaster Recovery Center.\u00a0They have assisted with sheltering [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/hurricane-helene-post-storm-response\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Newsroom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-02-16T14:25:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2024\/10\/VDH-helps-Helene.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"16 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/news\\\/hurricane-helene-post-storm-response\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/news\\\/hurricane-helene-post-storm-response\\\/\",\"name\":\"Hurricane Helene Post-Storm Response - Newsroom\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/news\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/news\\\/hurricane-helene-post-storm-response\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/news\\\/hurricane-helene-post-storm-response\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/6\\\/2024\\\/10\\\/VDH-helps-Helene-300x300.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-05T17:58:34+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-02-16T14:25:16+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/news\\\/hurricane-helene-post-storm-response\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/news\\\/hurricane-helene-post-storm-response\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/news\\\/hurricane-helene-post-storm-response\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/6\\\/2024\\\/10\\\/VDH-helps-Helene-300x300.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/6\\\/2024\\\/10\\\/VDH-helps-Helene-300x300.png\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/news\\\/hurricane-helene-post-storm-response\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Hurricane Helene Post-Storm Response\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/news\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/news\\\/\",\"name\":\"Newsroom\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/news\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Hurricane Helene Post-Storm Response - Newsroom","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/hurricane-helene-post-storm-response\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Hurricane Helene Post-Storm Response - Newsroom","og_description":"The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) continues to respond to Hurricane Helene by coordinating with affected local health districts and partner agencies. 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