Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26 in Florida, but then moved north, ending far inland. When it reached the Appalachian Mountains, heavy rainfall led to flash flooding and landslides. In southwest Virginia, many people are still without power and cell service, and roads are blocked by fallen trees or washed away by flooding. Virginia received approval for a federal emergency declaration for the counties of Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe and the City of Galax. People needing help with cleanup can call the Hurricane Helene Crisis Clean Up hotline at 1-844-965-1386 and contact their local emergency manager for help. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) has a page for Hurricane Helene with information about cleanup and damage assessments.
If your home has been flooded, be cautious when returning. Flooded homes can have a variety of dangers, such as electric shocks, mold, broken glass and other debris, bacteria in flood water and mud, and structural problems. Don’t return to the area until local officials have said it is safe. Do not enter a flooded home until it has been inspected to make sure it is safe. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has guidance for cleaning up a flooded home.
Drinking water systems may not be able to disinfect water properly because of flooding. Before you drink the water, check with your water utility to make sure there is not a boil water advisory. For a boil water advisory, bring water to a rolling boil and let it boil for one minute, then cool before using. Some communities will also have drinking water distribution points. Check with your local officials for where you can go to get bottled water.