Disaster Recovery News

Tropical Storm Kyle has now been updated to a Category One Hurricane. The severity of this storm is not expected to increase over the next 12-24 hours, according to the National Weather Service. Kyle is expected to weaken on Sunday night.

The Environmental Protection Agency provides these tips on how to disinfect emergency drinking water:

USE ONLY WATER THAT HAS BEEN PROPERLY DISINFECTED FOR DRINKING, COOKING, MAKING ANY PREPARED DRINK, OR FOR BRUSHING TEETH

1. Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters if it is available.
2. If you don’t have bottled water, you should boil water to make it safe. Boiling water will kill most types of disease-causing organisms that may be present. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for boiling. Boil the water for one minute, let it cool, and store it in clean containers with covers.
3. If you can’t boil water, you can disinfect it using household bleach. Bleach will kill some, but not all, types of disease-causing organisms that may be in the water. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for disinfection. Add 1/8 teaspoon (or 8 drops) of regular, unscented, liquid household bleach for each gallon of water, stir it well and let it stand for 30 minutes before you use it. Store disinfected water in clean containers with covers.
4. If you have a well that has been flooded, the water should be tested and disinfected after flood waters recede. If you suspect that your well may be contaminated, contact your local or state health department or agriculture extension agent for specific advice.

Click here to read advice from the Center for Disease Control about preventing illnesses or injuries after a hurricane or flood.

For more about recovering from a hurricane or flood, click here.

Click here to read about how disaster recovery services can help you.

FEMA announced it would provide federal Public Assistance to Wabash and Wayne Counties in Indiana to help pay for emergency services and repairs to public facilities. The state was hit hard by storms, tornadoes and flooding during the month of June. The addition of these two counties brings the total counties receiving federal Public Assistance to 43.

Public Assistance is made available to local governments and some nonprofit organizations to aid in the rebuilding or replacement of public infrastructures. In some cases, the assistance also includes aid in the replacement or restoration of federal entity contents, including documentation, equipment and books. The categories govered by the assistance varies depending on the nature of the disaster and the severity.

More on disaster recovery services for documents.