Helene recovery in NC. Everything to know about safe cleanup, medication, mold and more

Tropical Storm Helene caused catastrophic flooding throughout Western North Carolina over the weekend, leading to destroyed property, missing and deceased residents , massive power outages, and submerged communities.

Here's a guide to useful information as North Carolina residents begin the road to recovery.

What North Carolina counties were granted relief under a Federal Major Disaster Declaration ?

President Biden has granted Governor Roy Cooper’s request for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration for Tropical Storm Helene providing immediate federal help for 25 North Carolina counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

What is the North Carolina Crisis Cleanup hotline?

North Carolina's Crisis Cleanup hotline (844) 965-1386 seeks to provide information and resources to North Carolina residents and visitors who were impacted by Hurricane Helene.

For more resources, visit the North Carolina Department of Public Safety's dedicated page for Helene here.

What to do if a boil water notice has been issued in your county

• Boil it : Once the water reaches a rolling boil, let it boil for one minute.
• If you can't boil it: Add 1/8 teaspoon or 8 drops of unscented household liquid bleach to 1 gallon of water. Mix well and wait 30 minutes or more before drinking.

The CDC also recommends not using water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator. Brush teeth with boiled or bottled water. Do not use tap water that you have not boiled first.

Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering. Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.

When will Asheville water be restored? How to stay safe during boil water advisory

What areas are still being affected by power outages after Hurricane Helene?

According to USA Today data, 414,731 residents are still without power as of Sept. 30. Both Ashe County and Polk County both have 100% of its population without power.

How to stay safe as you clean up after a storm

• Wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves to protect against illness.
• Do not mix household cleaners and disinfectants, such as bleach and ammonia.
• Walls, hard-surfaced floors, and other household surfaces must be cleaned with soap and water and disinfected with a solution of 1 cup of bleach per 5 gallons of water.
• Remove and discard contaminated household materials that cannot be disinfected, such as wall coverings, furniture, and rugs. Wash all linens and clothing in hot water. Drywall and insulation that were exposed to water should be thrown away.
• Any items that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried within 24 to 48 hours should be discarded.
• Chainsaws should only be operated under safe conditions, and by licensed professionals. If you've never used one, now is not the time to learn.

Carbon monoxide safety: Stay safe if using a generator

Portable generators produce high levels of carbon monoxide very quickly. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless and tasteless gas that can be deadly.

Do not use a generator in your garage. Use all gas-powered or charcoal-burning equipment outside and at least 20 feet away from doors, windows, vents, and air intakes.

If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911 or the North Carolina Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Electrical hazards after a storm

• Always assume all overhead wires are energized, or “live,” and at lethal voltages.
• Never touch a fallen power line.
• Have a qualified electrician inspect electrical equipment that got wet to ensure that no water remains within the unit.

Staying safe in flood waters after a storm

• Don't drive in flooded areas.
• Flood waters can be contaminated with bacteria and viruses. Avoid skin contact with flood waters especially if you have open cuts and wounds. Make sure to wash well with soap and clean water to prevent infection.
• Avoid eating, drinking or touching anything that has been contaminated with flood waters.
• If you are unsure if your tap water is safe, boil or disinfect it.

Food safety: Use precautions to keep food safe

• If it's been four hours or more, throw out all the perishable food in your refrigerator such as meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, and leftovers.
• Throw out any food with an unusual odor, color or texture. DO NOT TASTE IT to try to see if it's still OK. Unsafe food can make you sick even if it looks and smells normal.
• Food in your fridge or coolers with temps of under 40 degrees should be OK to keep.
• You can safely refreeze or cook thawed frozen food if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40 degrees or below.

Mold? Here's how to keep safe as you dry out and clean up after a storm

Moisture that enters buildings from leaks or flooding accelerates the growth of mold.

Mold can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the storm. As you clean up, wear personal protective equipment such as N-95 masks, goggles, protective gloves, and rubber boots.

Here's what you should do:

• Take it out: Anything that got wet and can’t be cleaned and dried completely within 24 to 48 hours should be taken outside for waste removal.
• Air it out: Open all doors and windows as you're removing items or cleaning surfaces.
• Drying it out: When you have power, use fans and dehumidifiers to help remove moisture indoors. Dry your home within 24 to 48 hours, if possible.
• Scrub surfaces: Clean with water and detergent. Remove all mold you can see. Dry right away.
• Don't paint or caulk over mold; it'll still grow.
• People with suppressed or impaired immune systems, mold allergies, asthma, or other chronic lung disease should not clean or remove moldy materials.

Private wells in flooded areas, what you should know

If your well is affected by flood waters, there may be disease-causing organisms in your water making it unsafe to drink. These tips, provided by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, recommend you do one of the following:

After a flood, the following steps can help ensure your well is safe for use:

1. Do not turn on the electricity to your pump until flood waters recede.
2. If extensive flooding has occurred, do not drink the water. Use water reserves and bottled water until your well water has been tested and deemed safe for use.
3. Contact a driller if you think your well will need service immediately after the flood. You can find a list of certified well contractors. Here's a list .
4. If you haven't already, find a nearby water testing lab to obtain sample collection bottles and instructions for bacterial contamination. You cannot see, taste or smell bacterial contamination in your well. Often, your local health department can test your water. If there is not a health department near you, your county extension agent can help you find a lab.
5. If you live near animal feeding operations, agricultural fields where pesticides are applied or industrial chemical factories, you should contact your local health department for additional testing, especially if you smell fuel or chemicals in your water.

What you should know about septic tanks and sewer systems under flood conditions

If you have a septic tank at your home and your plumbing is slow or sluggish:

• Minimize water use.
• Do not have the septic tank pumped. Exceptionally high water tables might cause the surrounding area to cave into a septic tank.
• Consider renting a portable waste receptacle.
• Do not have the septic tank or drainfield repaired until the flood water has receded.

Flooding and electrical outages can impact sewer systems.

• While pump stations and sewage treatment plants are out of power, avoid adding additional water to sewer lines.
• Report any sewage spills.
• If sewage backs up into your house, wear foot coverings, such as rubber boots, and waterproof gloves during cleanup.
• Thoroughly clean walls and floors, countertops, refrigerators, and surfaces.

Tetanus is serious bacterial infection

Everyone cleaning up after a storm should make sure their tetanus vaccination is current. Adults need a booster shot every 10 years to maintain protection. Tetanus, commonly known as lockjaw, is a serious bacterial infection that can affect your ability to breathe and may be life-threatening.

• If you sustain a wound or deep cut, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
• Clean wounds with soap, disinfectant, or bottled water.

Vibrio vulnificus may be present in flood waters

Commonly nicknamed the " flesh-eating" bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus can be found in raw or undercooked seafood, saltwater, and brackish water. These bacteria typically grow faster during warmer months and flooding may increase bacteria levels.

Vibrio vulnificus can invade the bloodstream, causing a severe life-threatening illness with symptoms such as fever, chills, decreased blood pressure (septic shock), and skin lesions. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, or wound infections, seek medical attention immediately.

Injured while cleaning up after a storm? Here's what to do

The risk for injury is increased during and after a natural disaster. Floodwaters and standing waters pose several risks, including infectious diseases, chemical hazards, and injuries. Prompt first aid can help heal small wounds and prevent infection.

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water, if possible.
• Avoid touching the wound with your fingers while treating it. If possible, use disposable gloves.
• Remove obstructive jewelry and clothing from the injured body part.
• Apply direct pressure to any bleeding wound to control bleeding.
• Clean the wound after bleeding has stopped.
  • Check the wound for dirt and foreign objects.
  • Gently flood the wound with bottled water or clean running water (if available, saline solution is preferred).
  • Gently clean around the wound with soap and clean water.
  • Pat dry and apply an adhesive bandage or dry clean cloth.
• Leave unclean wounds, bites, and punctures open. Wounds that are not cleaned correctly can trap bacteria and result in infection.
• Provide pain relievers when possible.
• Monitor the wound every 24 hours for signs of infection. Seek medical attention if you experience or see: redness, swelling, oozing, fever, increasing pain, shortness of breath, fast heart rate, confusion or disorientation, or high heart rate.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Helene recovery in NC. Everything to know about safe cleanup, medication, mold and more