Tag: flooding

Cumberland Plateau Health District Shares Important Vaccination Information for Those Impacted by the Recent Floods

July 22, 2025
Media Contact: Daniel Hunsucker, PIO, daniel.hunsucker@vdh.virginia.gov

Cumberland Plateau Health District Shares Important Vaccination Information for Those Impacted by the Recent Floods

LEBANON, Va. — The Cumberland Plateau Health District is giving free Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) vaccines to those affected by the flooding, responding to emergency situations, or those assisting with the recovery. Vaccines will be given at the Dante Community Center on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 1 – 3 p.m.

The health department reminds residents and first responders to ensure their tetanus vaccinations are up to date. Tetanus, sometimes called “lockjaw,” can cause symptoms such as fever, jaw cramping, muscle spasms, and seizures.  Tetanus bacteria is found naturally in soil. If you wade through flood water, you could encounter sharp objects and sustain an injury that allows the tetanus bacteria to enter your body. Although tetanus infection is rare, it can be very serious or even fatal.

The best way to prevent infection is to be vaccinated prior to exposure, which is why all adults should receive tetanus shots every 10 years. However, tetanus vaccination is still effective if given within 48 hours after an injury.

You may need a tetanus booster shot if:

  • It has been more than 10 years since your last tetanus vaccination
  • You have a puncture wound and it has been more than five years since your last tetanus vaccination
  • You have a wound that has come in contact with floodwater, and it has been more than five years since your last tetanus vaccination.

If you’re not sure if you need a tetanus vaccine, contact your primary care provider or your local health department.

For more information about tetanus, visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/epidemiology-fact-sheets/tetanus-lockjaw/

 

 

 

Cumberland Plateau Health District Issues Recreational Water Advisory

March 20, 2025

For questions about the health advisory, contact:
Brian Stanley, Environmental Health Manager, Sr., Cumberland Plateau Health District
276-415-3370, brian.stanley@vdh.virginia.gov

For questions about the sewer main repairs, contact:
Buchanan County Public Service Authority
276-935-5828

Cumberland Plateau Health District Issues Recreational Water Advisory

LEBANON, Va. – The Cumberland Plateau Health District recommends that people and pets avoid contact with a portion of the Levisa River and Slate Creek located in Buchanan County due to an ongoing sewage overflow from sewer mains that were damaged by recent flooding. Activities to repair the sewer mains are ongoing, weather permitting.

This health advisory extends along the Levisa River from 0.5-miles east of Anchorage Shopping Center along U.S. HWY 460 to the Kentucky state line and portions of Slate Creek from the Buchanan County Department of Social Services on Route 83 downstream to the Levisa River in Buchanan County. The length of the affected waterways in Virginia is approximately 24 miles. For concerns in Kentucky, please contact the Pike County Health Department at 606-437-5500.

Swallowing contaminated water can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, with vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain or fever. Contact with contaminated water also can cause infections of the ears, nose, throat and skin.  For your safety, humans and pets should avoid contact with the affected portions of the Levisa River and Slate Creek until the sewer mains have been repaired and the advisory is lifted.

To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to sewage release events, people should:

  • Avoid contact with the waterbodies noted above and observe advisory signage posted at waterbody access points.
  • Avoid any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
  • Promptly wash skin with soap and water if you cannot avoid contact with water in the vicinity.
  • Seek medical care and notify your practitioner of the waterbody exposure if you experience adverse health effects after contact with the waterbody.

For more information on recreational water safety, call 276-935-4591 or see “Safely Enjoy Virginia’s Natural Waters” at www.SwimHealthyVA.com.

Virginia Department of Health Offers Free Testing for Private Wells Impacted by Recent Flood

February 21, 2025

Environmental Health Contacts:
Brian Stanley, Cumberland Plateau Health District, 276-415-3370
Brad Stallard, LENOWISCO Health District, 276-328-1933

Virginia Department of Health Offers Free Testing for Private Wells Impacted by Recent Flood
Any Wells Submerged Due to Flooding are at Risk

WISE, Va. – 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.

The free private well test kits are available to residents in the LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts. To qualify for testing, the well must first be disinfected and flushed. VDH recommends having a well driller assist with this process. For those choosing to disinfect the well themselves, all safety precautions and instructions should be followed using these instructions.

Once well users disinfect and flush their well, a free test kit can be requested by calling one of the following health departments:

  • Buchanan County Health Department – 276-935-4591
  • Dickenson County Health Department – 276-926-4979
  • Lee County Health Department – 276-346-2011
  • Russell County Health Department – 276-889-7621
  • Scott County Health Department – 276-386-1312
  • Tazewell County Health Department – 276-988-5585
  • Wise County Health Department – 276-328-8000

Well water impacted by flooding can have germs that lead to gastrointestinal illness. The kits will include the tools necessary to collect samples for testing for total coliform and E. coli. Test results will only indicate if the well is contaminated.

Tests must be returned Monday through Thursday to the nearest local health department location within the Cumberland Plateau or LENOWISCO health districts. Samples should be delivered to one of the available locations by 4 p.m. on the same day the sample is taken.

For those who have tested their well and need assistance in understanding the test results, visit Well Informed Virginia. For more information about specific concerns regarding private wells contact your local health department or a licensed well driller.

Norfolk Department of Public Health Urges Caution in Advance of Severe Weather

Date: August 7, 2024
Media Contact: Kathy Lamm, KathyLamm@vdh.virginia.gov, 757-799-8699

Norfolk Department of Public Health Urges Caution in Advance of Severe Weather

NORFOLK, Va. — The remnants of Tropical Storm Debby are expected to impact areas of the state beginning Wednesday, August 7 through the weekend. This storm could bring strong winds and flooding that create dangerous conditions. The Norfolk Department of Public Health reminds people to take precautions to be prepared for severe weather.

Now is the time to check the contents of the emergency kits in your car and home and replace items that may have expired. If you do not have an emergency kit, a supply checklist with basic items that every supply kit should include is available for download. Don’t forget to prepare your pet for an emergency.

During storms:

  • Stay inside and avoid travel when possible. During strong wind or tornado warnings, stay away from windows, skylights and glass doors. Find a safe area in your home (an interior room, a closet or bathroom on the lower level).
  • Monitor the radio or TV for updates.
  • Have a supply of bottled water for drinking. You can also fill a bathtub or other large containers with water for additional drinking water or to flush toilets with.

Before the storm be sure to bring in lawn furniture, garbage and recycling carts and other items that are not tied down and could become airborne. Strong winds from Tropical Storm Debby could throw these items around.

Tropical Storm Debby is also expected to bring heavy rainfall, which can cause significant flooding in some areas, and rising flood waters carry many dangers for Virginia citizens. Floodwaters are often dirty from overflowing storm drains and sewers. Floodwaters may also hide debris and other trash that could cause injury. Do not drive through standing or flowing water – Don’t drown, turn around!

If you use a generator, NEVER run it indoors (including a closed garage). Do not try to refuel a running generator.
Finally, know the proper food safety precautions to take before, during, and after a power outage. Be prepared to safely handle food and water if flooding occurs.

For more information, visit NorfolkPublicHealth.com

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Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Urge Caution in Advance of Severe Weather

August 7, 2024
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Urge Caution in Advance of Severe Weather

RICHMOND, Va. — The remnants of Tropical Storm Debby are expected to impact the Mid-Atlantic region late Thursday and into the weekend. Richmond and Henrico are under a flood watch beginning tonight at 8 p.m. This storm could bring heavy rainfall and flooding that create dangerous conditions. The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) remind people to take precautions to be prepared for severe weather.

“We don’t yet know what to expect with this storm, but history has shown us that these kinds of events are magnified in our area by water accumulating rapidly in streams and rivers from the mountains,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator Ed Porner. “High water is the number one killer of Virginians in storms. Don’t be a statistic. Don’t drown, turn around! Be alert to official notices both before a storm and post-storm, particularly evacuation and boil-water notices. Check on family and neighbors, especially those with medical or special needs, and make sure they are part of any communication and evacuation plans.”

Now is the time to check the contents of the emergency kits in your car and home and replace items that may have expired. If you do not have an emergency kit, a supply checklist with basic items that every supply kit should include is available for download. Make sure that you have all important documents in one location in case you are told and/or need to evacuate. Don’t forget to prepare your pet for an emergency.

During the storm:

  • Stay inside and away from windows, skylights and glass doors. Find a safe area in your home (an interior room, a closet or bathroom on the lower level).
  • Continue to monitor the radio or TV for updates.
  • Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purpose such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other larger containers with water.
  • If you lose power, turn off major appliances such as the air conditioner and water heater to reduce damage.
  • Do not go outside.

Additionally, debris, such as signs, roofing material, siding, and small items left outside, can cause injury and damage property due to strong winds from Tropical Storm Debby. Before the storm be sure to bring in lawn furniture, garbage and recycling carts and other items that are not tied down and could become airborne.

Tropical Storm Debby is also expected to bring heavy rainfall, which can cause significant flooding in some areas, and rising flood waters carry many dangers for Virginia citizens.

During flooding, the greatest threat comes from moving water. The deeper the moving water, the greater the threat. People should avoid driving in moving water, regardless of the size of their vehicle. Never attempt to walk or drive through moving water, as there is no way of telling its depth and swift moving water can carry away people or vehicles trying to cross it.

Heavy rain causes flood waters to rise and pool on streets and throughout neighborhoods. In these situations, be aware of the following:

  • Road surfaces become obscured, and drivers can unknowingly steer into a deep body of water, such as a canal or pond.
  • Electricity from streetlights and power poles may be active through standing water causing a deadly shock to anyone coming in contact with it.
  • Children playing in contaminated standing water can become sick or be bitten by snakes or floating insects.
  • People coming into contact with floodwaters should thoroughly rinse any exposed body parts with soap and sanitized or disinfected water.

Finally, residents, or facilities that provide water to the public including campgrounds, restaurants, or daycares, with private wells or septic systems submerged by flood waters should also take extra precautions. For more information and safety tips regarding private wells and septic systems visit Before and After the Storm – Private Wells and Onsite Sewage Systems.

To contact RHHD, please email rhhdpr@vdh.virginia.gov or call 804-205-3501, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

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