A message from COUNTY OF HAWAII
This is a Civil Defense update for Thursday, August 30 at 6:00 in the evening.
The
American Red Cross, Hawaii County Civil Defense, State and Federal
agencies continued their damage assessments from Hurricane Lane today.
To report flood damage from the recent heavy rains, please call Civil
Defense for a damage assessment at 808-935-0031. Teams led by VOAD
(Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) are also available to help
clean up your home or property (debris removal, mucking out, etc.) after
the damaging floods. If you would like assistance, please call
808-643-5555.
The Department of Health recommends the following actions to clean up flooded homes and businesses:
- Remove standing water
- Dry out your home or business
- Remove
wet materials – Materials that are wet and cannot be thoroughly cleaned
and dried within 24-48 hours should be discarded (i.e.
Carpet/flooring/padding, furniture, drywall, particle boards, insulation
etc.)
- Clean and sanitize
- Hard-surfaced
walls and floors, and other household surfaces should be cleaned with
soap and water and disinfected with a solution of one cup of bleach in 5 gallons of water.
- During
clean-up, wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves if floodwaters have
contaminated various portions of the household. Wash all linens and
clothing that has been contaminated with floodwaters in hot water, or
dry clean them.
- For
items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned, such as mattresses and
upholstered furniture, and carpeting, it is recommended that these items
be discarded. Trying to salvage these items can only lead to more
problems, such as the growth of molds and other microbes that will later
affect your Indoor Air Quality.
The
Hawaii State Department of Health is advising the public to stay out of
streams, coastal, and standing waters that are contaminated by storm
water. Storm water may contain harmful micro-organisms from overflowing
cesspools or septic tanks as well as animal waste washed into streams
and storm drains.
Thank you and please be safe. This is your Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency.
