Tag: tropical storm

Virginia Department of Health Advises Virginians to Avoid Natural Water Bodies After Tropical Cyclone Helene

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 30, 2024
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, VDH, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Department of Health Advises Virginians to Avoid Natural Water Bodies After Tropical Cyclone Helene

RICHMOND, Va. – 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. Pet, livestock and wildlife wastes, and untreated wastewater from sewage treatment plants that are overloaded by an excess of rainwater can all end up in natural waters used for recreation and pose risks to human health.

To stay safe all Virginians should:

  • Avoid contact swimming in natural waterways for three days following rain events. Heavy rain picks up anything it comes in contact with, including germs from overflowing sewage, polluted storm water, and runoff from land.
  • Never swallow untreated water and don’t swim if your skin has cuts or open wounds.
  • Wash hands frequently, including after swimming and before preparing and eating food.
  • Shower or bathe after swimming to wash off possible germs and contaminants.
  • Check the water and the area around it before swimming. Avoid going in water if there is a green film on the water or if the water is cloudier than usual. Avoid swimming near storm drains or livestock.
  • Avoid swimming if you are vomiting or have diarrhea.
  • Avoid any area where there is water with a foul or chemical odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.
  • If taking fish caught from natural waters, remove the skin from filets and dispose of viscera and internal organs. Cook filets to proper temperature and clean knives and cutting boards with soapy water. Follow posted fish consumption advisories.
  • Check with your healthcare provider before swimming in oceans, lakes, rivers, and other natural bodies of water if your body’s ability to fight germs is already affected by other health problems or medicines.

For additional questions, contact VDH’s Call Center at 877-829-4682 (Option 2), The VDH Call Center is available Monday–Friday (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For more information on recreational water safety, visit www.SwimHealthyVA.com.

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PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA – 30 de septiembre de 2024
Persona de contacto con los medios de comunicación: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

El Departamento de Salud de Virginia aconseja a los habitantes de Virginia que eviten los cuerpos de agua naturales tras el ciclón tropical Helene.

RICHMOND, Virginia – El Departamento de Salud de Virginia aconseja al público que evite los cuerpos de agua naturales en todo el estado después del ciclón tropical Helene. Durante las lluvias torrenciales y las inundaciones, la contaminación y los desechos llegan a los ríos, lagos y arroyos y acaban desembocando en nuestras aguas costeras. Los desechos de animales domésticos, ganado y fauna silvestre, así como las aguas residuales sin tratar procedentes de depuradoras sobrecargadas por el exceso de agua de lluvia, pueden acabar en cuerpos de agua naturales donde se practican actividades de recreo y suponer un riesgo para la salud de las personas.

Para evitar riesgos para la salud al entrar en contacto con cualquier cuerpo de agua natural (ríos, lagos, arroyos) en Virginia, se recomienda:

  • Evitar el baño en cuerpos de aguas naturales tres días después de que haya llovido. Las lluvias torrenciales arrastran todo a su paso, incluidos los gérmenes de las aguas residuales desbordadas, las aguas pluviales contaminadas y la basura de la tierra.
  • No tragar nunca agua no tratada y no bañarse si se tienen cortes o heridas abiertas en la piel.
  • Lavarse las manos con frecuencia, incluso después de nadar y antes de preparar y comer alimentos.
  • Ducharse o bañarse después de nadar para eliminar posibles gérmenes y productos contaminantes.
  • Antes de bañarse, revise el agua y la zona alrededor de la misma. Evitar entrar en el agua si observa una capa verde o si el agua está más turbia de lo habitual. Evitar bañarse cerca de los desagües pluviales (tuberías que drenan el agua contaminada de las calles) y de las zonas donde hay ganado.
  • Evitar entrar en el agua si tiene vómitos o diarrea.
  • Evitar cualquier zona donde haya agua con olor fétido o químico, peces muertos o moribundos, o agua descolorida.
  • Si consume pescado procedente de aguas naturales, retire la piel de los filetes y deseche las vísceras y los órganos internos. Cocine los filetes a una temperatura adecuada y limpie los cuchillos y las tablas de cortar con agua y jabón. Siga las recomendaciones sobre el consumo de pescado.
  • Consultar a su médico antes de bañarse en océanos, lagos, ríos y otros cuerpos de agua naturales si la capacidad de su organismo para luchar contra los gérmenes ya está afectada por otros problemas de salud o por el uso medicamentos.

Si tiene alguna pregunta adicional, póngase en contacto con el centro de atención telefónica de VDH llamando al 877-829-4682 (opción 2), disponible de lunes a viernes (excepto festivos) de 8 de la mañana a 5 de la tarde.  Para más información sobre la seguridad en las aguas de recreo, visite www.SwimHealthyVA.com.

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Virginia Department of Health’s Southwest Health Districts Offer Tips to Prevent Injuries and Foodborne Illness

September 30, 2024
Media Contacts:
Daniel Hunsucker, LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts, 276-328-8000;
Michael Whitaker, Mount Rogers Health District, 276-780-0109

Virginia Department of Health’s Southwest Health Districts Offer
Tips to Prevent Injuries and Foodborne Illness

WISE, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health’s LENOWISCO, Cumberland Plateau, and Mount Rogers health districts want to advise those in the southwest region affected by the recent severe weather to use extreme caution to prevent injuries and foodborne illness in the aftermath of tropical storm Helene.

To keep you and your family healthy and safe, please remember to:

  • Discard any refrigerated food that you suspect has spoiled
  • Stay out of impacted areas; do not sightsee
  • Do not operate charcoal grills, propane camping stoves or generators indoors
  • Do not drive or walk through standing water
  • Stay away from downed power lines

It is especially important to take careful precautions to ensure food safety after a power outage. 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, “When in doubt, throw it out!”

Check local announcements to see if any boil water advisories exist in your area and following the instructions in the advisory. People who rely on private wells for their water should consider their well contaminated if it was submerged or they believe it is possible the well became submerged during the storm. If you have specific questions after the storm, call your local health department or visit the VDH website.

Be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide. Deadly levels of the odorless, colorless gas that is poisonous to breathe 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.

Watch for the presence of excess moisture and standing water as it contributes to the growth of mold in homes and other buildings. When returning to a home that has been flooded, be aware that mold may be present and may be a health risk for your family.

As the outer bands associated with a tropical storm has produced heavy rainfall throughout the area, flood waters may continue to rise and pool on streets and throughout neighborhoods. Watch for these flood prone areas. You should 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.

As cleanup is needed, be mindful of the amount of time spent outdoors removing debris after the tropical storm; work slowly to avoid exertion and to prevent back injury. Other steps to take to help prevent muscle and bone injury include:

  • Use teams of two or more to move bulky objects
  • Avoid lifting any material that weighs more than 50 pounds
  • Use proper automated-assist lifting devices
  • Use caution or seek professional assistance when removing fallen trees, cleaning up debris or using equipment, such as chain saws
  • Wear eye goggles while removing or cleaning up debris to prevent eye injuries

For more information, contact your local health department or you may contact the Cumberland Plateau Health District (serving Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell counties) at 276-889-7621; the LENOWISCO health district (serving the counties of Lee, Wise, and Scott and the City of Norton) at 276-328-8000; or the Mount Rogers Health District (serving Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, Washington, and Wythe counties, and the cities of Bristol and Galax) at 276-236-6127 or visit www.vdh.virginia.gov.

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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