1. Boil at a rolling boil for 10 minutes.
   
   
2. Add eight drops of liquid chlorine bleach (such as Clorox) per gallon of water. Make sure the bleach has no active ingredient other than 4 percent to 6 percent sodium hypochlorite.
   
   
3. Add 20 drops of 2 percent iodine per gallon of clear water or 40 drops per gallon of cloudy water.
   
   
4. Add water purification tablets according to directions on the package. These tablets can be bought at most drug and sporting goods stores.
   Thoroughly mix these solutions and let the water stand for at least 30 minutes before using. To lessen the flat taste of boiled water, pour the water back and forth several times between two clean containers.
   Always use clean or purified water to wash any parts of the body that have come in contact with surfaces contaminated by flood waters.
   Water in water pipes and toilet flush tanks (not bowls) is safe to drink if the valve on the main water line was closed before the flood.
   
   Storm-damaged foods may not be safe to eat. If you have a question about the safety of any item, dispose of it. Otherwise, keep the following points in mind:
   

• Destroy the following foods if they have been covered by flood waters: fresh fruits and vegetables; foods in cardboard or paper cartons; foods in bags, such as rice and flour, foods, liquids or beverages in crown-capped bottles or containers with pull-tops, corks or screw caps. This includes canned foods in glass jars, whether you bought them or canned them yourself.
  
  
• To disinfect cans, remove labels and wash the containers with soap or detergent. Rinse in a chlorine bleach solution using two tablespoons of household laundry bleach to each gallon of water. Rinse containers in clean water, dry and relabel them. The cans can also be sterilized by covering with water and boiling for at least 10 minutes.
  
  
• Once-frozen foods have thawed completely and warmed to temperatures above 40 F they should be cooked or eaten immediately or discarded. After cooking, items can be refrozen.
  
  
• Partially thawed frozen foods with ice crystals may be safely refrozen.
  
  
• Breads can be refrozen as well as fruits and vegetables that are still at or below 40 degrees.
  
• Discard all stuffed poultry.
  
  
• Do not refreeze frozen dinners that have thawed.
  
  
• Discard any meat that has a questionable odor or has reached 40F for two hours.
  
  
• Foods in a freezer without power may stay frozen from one to three days, depending on these conditions: the door must remain closed; the freezer must be mostly full; the temperature outside must be moderate; and the freezer must be large and well-insulated.
  
  For more information, contact your local office of Virginia Cooperative Extension at 758-4120
  
  

  ---

  
  
  Animal shelter
  September 17, 2003
  The Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society offers the following Animal Disaster Plan for taking care of pets during hurricane-type storms.
  

1. If you know you might need to evacuate, plan to take your animals with you. Emergency shelters will not take animals, so make arrangements with a family member, friend, motel, vet clinic, or boarding kennel ahead of time. Be sure your dog or cat is wearing a collar or harness with an ID tag on it. Take a few days supply of food, water, and needed medication. Also take leashes, litter boxes and litter, bowls and photos of your pet (in case you get separated).
   Animal shelters are already full of homeless animals and should be used only as a last resort. Cats should be transported in secure carriers. Birds, small pets such as hamsters and guinea pigs, and reptiles should also be moved in secure carriers, along with their food, water, bedding, etc.
   
2. If at all possible, do not leave your animals behind. If you must leave them, bring all pets inside. Never leave an animal tied outside or confined in an outside pen in an area which could flood. Place your animals in an area of the house away from windows with a supply of food and water. If the area may flood, place the animal in an upstairs room if possible.
   
3. For horses, livestock and fowl, if you must evacuate due to flooding, make arrangements to trailer them to a safe place ahead of time. Be sure to take adequate feed and water, and to have identification on halters and harnesses. If you cannot move them, be sure they have access to high ground in case of flooding.
   
4. Even if you do not need to evacuate, you must still bring all pets indoors during the storm. Do not leave pets tied outside or confined in pens. It is still important that all animals have ID on their collars, halters or harnesses because if there is damage to your home the animals may be separated from you. It is also important to have at least a few days supply of food, water and any needed medications on hand.
   
5. If you need further assistance, contact your local animal control office, sheriff’s office, or the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society at 693-5520.
   
   
   

Red Cross Advises – Prepare for Hurricanes
September 16, 2003
Carol Purdy, Director of Disaster Services for the River Counties Red Cross Chapter, recommends each family review their hurricane response plan on the chance that hurricane Isabel’s direction should turn to the local area. Call the River Counties Red Cross Chapter at (804) 462-0256 for additional materials in English and Spanish or visit http://www.redcross.org/home/ for more information.

For more information about hurricane prevention and preparedness, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website at http://www.fema.gov/

Local

Dominion Virginia Power
http://www.dom.com/


Dominion Virginia Power - Storm Center
http://www.dom.com/news/storm.jsp


Middlesex County Office of Emergency Service
(804) 758-4715


Middlesex Police or Sheriff Non-emergency Number
(804) 758-2779


Middlesex Fire Department Non-emergency Number
(804) 758-2779


NBC 12, Richmond News
http://www.nbc12.com/


State Police Number for Middlesex County
(800) 582-8350


Virginia Department of Emergency Management
http://www.vaemergency.com/


VDOT Evacuation Routes for the Middle Peninsula
http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/hurricane_default.asp




National

FEMA: Readiness, Response and Recovery
(800) 621-3362


Food Safety & Inspection Services, Department of Agriculture
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/news/2003/weatheradv.htm


National Hurricane Center
http://hurricanes.noaa.gov/

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
http://www.hhs.gov/disasters/hurricane.html


Verizon Repair (24 hours)
(800) 275-2355

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