{"id":11372,"date":"2024-07-11T16:18:14","date_gmt":"2024-07-11T20:18:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=11372"},"modified":"2024-07-17T17:10:36","modified_gmt":"2024-07-17T21:10:36","slug":"vdh-adds-meherrin-roanoke-rivers-to-recreational-water-fish-consumption-advisories","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/vdh-adds-meherrin-roanoke-rivers-to-recreational-water-fish-consumption-advisories\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a0VDH Adds Meherrin, Roanoke Rivers to Recreational Water, Fish Consumption Advisories"},"content":{"rendered":"

July 11, 2024
\nMedia Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>VDH Adds Meherrin, Roanoke Rivers to Recreational Water, Fish Consumption Advisories
\n<\/strong>Public Advised to Avoid Contact with Contaminated Water<\/em><\/p>\n

RICHMOND, Va. \u2013 The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is extending its recreational water advisory and its fish consumption advisory<\/a> to include the Meherrin and Roanoke rivers. For the safety of people and pets, VDH is advising that recreational water activities, such as swimming, wading, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and boating should be avoided. Additionally, VDH recommends not consuming any fish taken from these waterways effective Saturday, July 6 until further notice.<\/p>\n

The advisories are issued out of an abundance of caution due to a release of chemicals from an industrial fire in South Hill Saturday, July 6. The advisories are extended to include the Meherrin River from its confluence with Mountain Creek to the North Carolina state line and the Roanoke River (Lake Gaston) from its confluence with Dockery Creek to the North Carolina state line. The advisories for Dockery and Mountain creeks<\/a> remain in effect.<\/p>\n

\"Map
The fish consumption and recreation advisory extends from the location of the warehouse fire off Route 1 in South Hill to two impacted watersheds (Roanoke River and Meherrin River).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the afternoon of July 6, an industrial fire occurred at a chemical storage facility located in the center of the town of South Hill. Runoff from water used to extinguish the fire has polluted nearby Dockery and Mountain creeks and has flowed downstream into the Meherrin and Roanoke rivers. Chemicals stored at the facility include fuel, fertilizers, herbicides, and many others. For updates on the situation, please visit the Department of Environmental Quality website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Due to the variety of chemicals involved VDH is still learning what adverse health effects someone may experience. Ingesting, touching, or breathing chemicals released during the incident are ways the public may be exposed. It is advised to stay away from the impacted area and to contact your medical practitioner if you feel like you have been affected.<\/p>\n

To prevent recreational water illnesses due to exposure to chemical release events, people should:<\/p>\n